City Comparison
Owensboro vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Owensboro scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Owensboro
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Owensboro is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Owensboro's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Owensboro | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $210 | $226 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,810 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Owensboro delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Owensboro is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Owensboro | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,770 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Owensboro runs warmer on average — a 58.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Owensboro comes out ahead with 251 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Owensboro sees 17.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Owensboro | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 27.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 51.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 17.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 251 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Owensboro scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Owensboro | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Owensboro is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Owensboro | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,183 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Owensboro
Advantages
Median home purchase prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per Census and Zillow data.
Owensboro Health Regional Hospital provides top-tier regional medical services and is one of the area's largest employers.
The vibrant downtown riverfront features Smothers Park and hosts major cultural events like the ROMP bluegrass festival.
Average commute times are shorter than the national average, resulting in minimal traffic congestion.
Strong community identity anchored by unique regional traditions such as Western Kentucky barbecue and bluegrass music.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Average local wages lag behind top-tier national metropolitan GDP per capita benchmarks.
Limited high-paying professional opportunities outside of healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors.
Hot and humid summer conditions can limit outdoor comfort during peak months.
Public school performance and educational funding face the same systemic challenges present across rural and regional Kentucky.
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.
Owensboro
#246Kentucky, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
87
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
251/yr
Avg Temp
58.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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