City Comparison
Paducah vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Paducah scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Paducah
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Paducah is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Paducah's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Paducah | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $165 | $194 | -15% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,825 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 2% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Paducah delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Paducah is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Paducah | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $54,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,529 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Paducah runs warmer on average — a 60°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Paducah comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Paducah sees 12.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Paducah | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 60.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 29.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 48.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Paducah 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 | Paducah | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Paducah.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Paducah | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.30% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Paducah
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly below the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Designated as a UNESCO Creative City with a vibrant arts community and the world-renowned National Quilt Museum.
Serves as a robust regional healthcare hub with major medical facilities like Baptist Health Paducah.
Rich historical architecture and beautifully revitalized downtown riverfront offering unique dining and shopping.
Low traffic congestion and manageable commute times compared to major metropolitan areas.
Drawbacks
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high car dependency for daily commuting outside the downtown core.
Limited high-paying corporate headquarters employment compared to larger Kentucky metropolitan areas.
Humid subtropical summers bring high humidity levels that can be uncomfortable for outdoor activities.
Public school performance varies by district, requiring careful research for families with school-age children.
Limited direct commercial air travel options requiring travel to regional or major airports for extensive flights.
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.
Paducah
#370Kentucky, USA
59.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$54,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
60.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.30%
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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