City Comparison
Redmond vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Redmond scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Redmond
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Redmond.
Housing costs are a major driver: Redmond's average rent is
115% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Redmond | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,138 | +115% |
| Groceries | $520 | $404 | +29% |
| Utilities | $195 | $194 | +1% |
| Transport | $140 | $312 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $226 | +28% |
| Monthly Total | $3,595 | $2,274 | +58% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Redmond offers 109% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Redmond delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Redmond is estimated at
$85,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Redmond | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $115,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $85,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,658 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $145,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Redmond runs warmer on average — a 52.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Redmond comes out ahead with 218 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Redmond sees 18.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Redmond | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 32.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 54.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 218 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Redmond.
Redmond scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Redmond leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Redmond | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 56.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Redmond is the larger city
— approximately 1.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Redmond is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Redmond has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Redmond | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,543 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Redmond
Advantages
World-class job market anchored by Microsoft and a booming technology sector
Exceptional public school system and high overall educational attainment
Abundant outdoor recreation, including over 50 parks and miles of dedicated bike trails
Low crime rates and consistently high safety rankings statewide
Expansion of the Sound Transit Link light rail improving regional connectivity
Drawbacks
High cost of living and steep housing prices compared to the national average
Significant traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on major arteries like SR 520
Competitive real estate market making homeownership challenging for median earners
Overcast and rainy winter weather patterns characteristic of the Pacific Northwest
Rising commercial and residential rents impacting local small businesses
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.
Redmond
#272Washington, USA
61.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
218/yr
Avg Temp
52.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.40%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
86
Business
88
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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