City Comparison
Oxford vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Oxford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Oxford
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Oxford is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
10% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Oxford | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,138 | +1% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $226 | -47% |
| Monthly Total | $2,050 | $2,274 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 13% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Oxford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Oxford is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Oxford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,545 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $40,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Oxford runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Oxford comes out ahead with 211 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Oxford sees 4.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Oxford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 50.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 59.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 4.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 211 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Oxford.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Oxford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Oxford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 25.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Oxford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Oxford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,250 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 49.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Oxford
Advantages
High homeownership rate with over 80% of households owning their home or holding it in a family trust per Stats NZ
Exceptional community safety with crime rates significantly below national urban averages
Proximity to the Oxford Forest Conservation Area offering world-class hiking, mountain biking, and outdoor recreation
Significantly lower housing and living costs compared to major New Zealand urban centers like Auckland and Wellington
Award-winning rural village atmosphere with strong local community engagement and historic character
Drawbacks
High car dependency due to limited public transportation infrastructure within the town and rural setting
Limited local employment diversity, requiring many residents to commute toward Rangiora or Christchurch
Smaller rental housing inventory, making it challenging to secure lease properties on short notice
Limited local high-end retail, entertainment options, and specialized healthcare facilities within walking distance
Colder winter weather lows requiring adequate home heating solutions
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.
Oxford
#29Canterbury, New Zealand
64.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$48,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
211/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.30%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
78
Business
62
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Oxford and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator