City Comparison
Potenza vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Potenza scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Potenza
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Potenza is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Potenza's average rent is
49% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Potenza | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $585 | $1,138 | -49% |
| Groceries | $541 | $404 | +34% |
| Utilities | $251 | $194 | +29% |
| Transport | $44 | $312 | -86% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,571 | $2,274 | -31% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 97% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Potenza is estimated at
$1,327 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Potenza | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $1,754 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $1,327 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 2,506 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Potenza runs warmer on average — a 57.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Potenza comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Potenza sees 16 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Potenza | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 27.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 16.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| 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 Potenza.
Potenza scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Potenza leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Potenza | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 60.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 70.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Potenza is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x 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 | Potenza | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 63,403 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 47.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.39% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Potenza
Advantages
Potenza offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many other Italian cities.
The city boasts the largest public escalator network in Europe, aiding urban mobility.
Potenza has a high safety index of 88.
The average price per square meter for home purchases in Potenza is lower than the regional average.
The city provides a rich historical and cultural experience with its ancient architecture and vibrant traditions.
Drawbacks
Potenza has experienced a slight population decline in recent years.
The average monthly net salary in Potenza is lower than the national average for Italy.
Detailed, recent data on specific growth sectors and major employers for Potenza is limited.
Nightlife in Potenza is described as low-key.
The city has lost many ancient and medieval buildings due to historical events like earthquakes and wars.
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.
Potenza
#4Basilicata, Italy
71.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$585
Avg Salary
$1,754
Cost Index
70
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
60.0/100
Walkability
70.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.39%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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