City Comparison
Roubaix vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Roubaix scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Roubaix
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Roubaix is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
51% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Roubaix's average rent is
55% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Roubaix | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $508 | $1,138 | -55% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $27 | $312 | -91% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,105 | $2,274 | -51% |
| Cost Index | 106 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 12% 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 Roubaix is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Roubaix | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $48,335 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 45,599 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Roubaix runs warmer on average — a 53.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Roubaix comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Roubaix sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Roubaix | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 35.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 24.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Roubaix has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Binghamton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Roubaix | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | — | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Roubaix is the larger city
— approximately 2.1x 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 | Roubaix | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,300 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 7.54% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Roubaix
Advantages
More affordable cost of living compared to Lille and other major French cities.
Rich industrial heritage and cultural attractions, including the La Piscine museum and its connection to the Paris-Roubaix race.
Good public transport connectivity within the Lille metropolitan area, with metro, tram, and bus services.
Reinventing itself as a culinary destination with a growing food scene.
Housing market offers relatively lower prices per square meter compared to neighboring cities.
Drawbacks
Significant safety concerns and a high crime perception, with a safety index of 40.51.
Limited recent and specific data available for key metrics like median household income, unemployment rate, and precise rental costs.
High humidity and frequent cloudiness are characteristic of the local climate.
Limited international flight connectivity, with closest major airports being Brussels or Lille.
Public transportation services do not operate late into the night.
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.
Roubaix
#61Hauts-de-France, France
43.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$508
Avg Salary
$48,335
Cost Index
106
Commute
min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
53.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
7.54%
Livability
72
Business
65
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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