City Comparison
Reggio Emilia vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Reggio Emilia scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Reggio Emilia
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Reggio Emilia is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Reggio Emilia | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,138 | -8% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $50 | $312 | -84% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $226 | -34% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 38% 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 Reggio Emilia is estimated at
$28,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Reggio Emilia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $34,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $28,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 40,000 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $36,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Reggio Emilia runs warmer on average — a 58.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Reggio Emilia comes out ahead with 260 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Reggio Emilia sees 0.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Reggio Emilia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 36.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 33.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Reggio Emilia.
Reggio Emilia scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Reggio Emilia leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Reggio Emilia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Reggio Emilia is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x 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 | Reggio Emilia | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 172,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.60% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Reggio Emilia
Advantages
World-renowned municipal early childhood education system (Reggio Emilia Approach) providing exceptional preschool and nursery care
High-speed railway station (Mediopadana) offering rapid connections to Milan, Bologna, Florence, and Rome
Extensive cycling infrastructure and pedestrian-friendly urban planning promoting active and sustainable mobility
Strong local economy with robust industrial sectors, low unemployment, and higher-than-average regional wages
Exceptional culinary heritage and high overall quality of public services, healthcare, and social cohesion
Drawbacks
Higher housing and rental costs in the historic center compared to smaller surrounding towns in the province
Foggy and humid winter conditions typical of the Po Valley basin affecting seasonal air quality
Limited direct nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan hubs like Milan or Bologna
Parking constraints and limited vehicular access within the historic ZTL (restricted traffic zone)
Summer temperatures can become quite warm and humid due to the inland valley geography
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.
Reggio Emilia
#40Emilia-Romagna, Italy
65.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$34,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
58.60°F
Pop. Growth
0.60%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
83
Business
76
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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