City Comparison
Orono vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Orono scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Orono
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
15% lower than in Orono.
Housing costs are a major driver: Orono's average rent is
54% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Orono | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,750 | $1,138 | +54% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,680 | $2,274 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Orono offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Orono delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Orono is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Orono | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,528 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,766 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $59,784 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Orono runs warmer on average — a 45.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Orono comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Orono sees 44.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Orono | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 45.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 10.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 44.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Orono scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Orono leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Orono | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 64.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Orono.
From a growth perspective, Orono is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Orono has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Orono | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,250 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 21.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Orono
Advantages
Median property value in Orono is significantly lower than the national average, providing accessible homeownership options per Data USA 2024.
The town boasts an active New England village downtown with robust walkability and local dining per Census Bureau data.
Extensive recreational trail systems and river access offer exceptional outdoor activities year-round.
Proximity to the University of Maine provides rich cultural, athletic, and educational events for residents.
Crime rates remain well below national averages, ensuring a secure environment for families and students.
Drawbacks
The local poverty rate is elevated due to the large concentration of students with low reported individual incomes per Census Bureau profiles.
Severe winter weather with heavy snowfall requires high heating costs and winter maintenance overhead.
Rental inventory can experience tight seasonal demand fluctuations tied to the academic calendar.
Job diversification outside of education and public services is relatively limited locally.
Public transit options beyond regional connections to Bangor are sparse for destinations outside the immediate area.
Binghamton
Advantages
The average commute time in Binghamton is relatively short at 16 minutes, offering more personal time.
Housing costs are generally lower than the national average, with a median home price of $194,000 as of December 2025.
The presence of Binghamton University provides a vibrant cultural scene and educational opportunities.
The city's economy is diversifying with growth in healthcare, education, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Binghamton offers access to natural landscapes and outdoor recreational activities due to its river confluence and surrounding hills.
Drawbacks
Binghamton has a high crime rate, with total crime being 86% higher than the national average based on 2024 FBI data.
The unemployment rate in Binghamton was 4.3% in 2026, slightly higher than the national average.
Public transportation options are limited, as indicated by a Transit Score of 33 for Downtown Binghamton.
Despite some positive economic indicators, the Binghamton metro area experienced a 2.8% population decrease over a 10-year period leading up to 2024.
Drug-related crime remains a significant concern in the Binghamton area, despite a decrease in overdose rates.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Orono
#202Maine, USA
63.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,750
Avg Salary
$61,528
Cost Index
95
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
64.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
45.70°F
Pop. Growth
1.50%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
68
Binghamton
#603New York, USA
38.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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