City Comparison
Philadelphia vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Philadelphia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Philadelphia
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
16% lower than in Philadelphia.
Housing costs are a major driver: Philadelphia's average rent is
55% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,768 | $1,138 | +55% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $185 | $194 | -5% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,713 | $2,274 | +19% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Philadelphia offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Philadelphia delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Philadelphia is estimated at
$58,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 70,588 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $61,953 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Philadelphia runs warmer on average — a 55.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Philadelphia comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Philadelphia sees 12 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 12.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Philadelphia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Philadelphia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 68.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Philadelphia is the larger city
— approximately 33.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton 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 | Philadelphia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,574,281 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Philadelphia
Advantages
Average rent remains roughly 15-20% lower than comparable major East Coast markets like New York and Boston.
Home to world-class higher education and healthcare anchor institutions driving stable high-skilled employment.
High walkability and extensive public transit infrastructure via SEPTA make car-free urban living practical.
Vibrant arts, historical architecture, and globally renowned culinary and craft beverage scenes.
Emerging status as a top-tier life sciences and biotechnology venture capital destination ('Cellicon Valley').
Drawbacks
Local wage and business tax structures can present a heavier financial burden compared to surrounding suburbs.
Property crime and localized public safety challenges persist across specific urban neighborhoods.
Public school system performance faces chronic funding and structural hurdles, prompting many families to explore alternatives.
Varying rates of economic mobility leave certain historically underserved neighborhoods behind the city's broader growth.
Post-pandemic economic and job growth recovery has occasionally lagged behind other major U.S. metropolitan regions.
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.
Philadelphia
#512Pennsylvania, USA
51.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,768
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
68.0/100
Walkability
76.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
55.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.10%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
75
Business
70
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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