City Comparison
Powell vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Powell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Powell
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Powell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Powell's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Powell | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Powell delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Powell is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Powell | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Powell runs warmer on average — a 46.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Powell comes out ahead with 294 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Powell sees 33.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Powell | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 12.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 294 | |
| Humidity | 50.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Powell scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Powell leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Powell | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Powell.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Powell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Powell | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,489 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Powell
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per US Census Bureau metrics.
Proximity to Yellowstone National Forest provides world-class outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Strong local educational framework anchored by Northwest College and dedicated public school districts.
Welcoming small-town community atmosphere with active local events and low traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
Limited local public transit options necessitate high car dependency for daily needs.
Geographic isolation means specialized shopping, major airports, and advanced medical centers require driving to larger cities.
Winter weather brings harsh freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall that can impact travel.
Limited high-paying corporate job sectors within city limits compared to larger metropolitan economies.
Housing inventory can occasionally be constrained for prospective buyers and renters.
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.
Powell
#90Wyoming, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
294/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
78
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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