City Comparison
Parker vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parker scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parker
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Parker.
Housing costs are a major driver: Parker's average rent is
80% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Parker | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,138 | +80% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $3,020 | $2,274 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Parker offers 60% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Parker delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Parker is estimated at
$75,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Parker | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $88,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,131 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $133,369 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Parker runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Parker comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Parker sees 28.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parker | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 18.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Parker.
Parker 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 | Parker | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 40.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Parker is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Parker is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Parker has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Parker | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 65,473 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.45% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parker
Advantages
Median household income stands at an affluent $133,369 per year, significantly outperforming the national average.
Consistently maintains low crime rates, ranking as one of the safest communities of its size in Colorado.
Features over 1,000 acres of developed park land and extensive connectivity to the Cherry Creek regional trail network.
More than 56% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, fostering a highly educated community.
Home to AdventHealth Parker, providing high-quality acute healthcare and specialized services locally.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing expenses run substantially higher than the U.S. national average.
High degree of car dependency with limited public mass transit options for daily work commuters.
Competitive real estate market places homeownership out of reach for many median-income earners.
Commuting to downtown Denver or the Tech Center during peak hours can result in significant highway congestion.
Limited dense urban nightlife or late-night entertainment options within town limits.
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.
Parker
#124Colorado, USA
66.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$88,000
Cost Index
122
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
2.45%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
83
Business
75
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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