City Comparison
Rugby vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Rugby scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Rugby
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rugby is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
28% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rugby's average rent is
35% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Rugby | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $740 | $1,138 | -35% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $185 | $194 | -5% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,635 | $2,274 | -28% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 8% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Rugby delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rugby is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Rugby | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $50,365 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,233 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $50,365 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Rugby runs warmer on average — a 41.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Rugby comes out ahead with 286 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Rugby sees 22.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Rugby | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 41.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 75.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | -2.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 286 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Rugby has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Rugby scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Rugby leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Rugby | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 11 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 20.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Rugby.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rugby has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rugby | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,481 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.1 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rugby
Advantages
Median home values in Rugby remain exceptionally affordable compared to the national average per U.S. Census data.
Crime rates are significantly lower than national averages, offering a very safe environment for families.
Heart of America Medical Center provides robust local healthcare services and long-term care.
Short average commute times of around 11 minutes eliminate daily traffic stress.
Strong community support and active local economic development programs foster a welcoming business atmosphere.
Drawbacks
Harsh winter weather conditions feature sub-zero temperatures requiring substantial heating costs.
Limited public transit infrastructure creates high car dependency for daily needs.
Modest population decline over recent years presents challenges for local labor market expansion.
Narrower selection of retail shopping and entertainment options within city limits.
Lower median household income levels relative to state and national benchmarks.
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.
Rugby
#180North Dakota, USA
64.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$740
Avg Salary
$50,365
Cost Index
88
Commute
11 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
286/yr
Avg Temp
41.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
73
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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