City Comparison
Salt Lake City vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Salt Lake City scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Salt Lake City
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Salt Lake City.
Housing costs are a major driver: Salt Lake City's average rent is
41% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,606 | $1,138 | +41% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $315 | $194 | +62% |
| Transport | $376 | $312 | +21% |
| Healthcare | $135 | $226 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,882 | $2,274 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Salt Lake City offers 14% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salt Lake City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Salt Lake City is estimated at
$65,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,823 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,831 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $75,090 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Salt Lake City runs warmer on average — a 55.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Salt Lake City comes out ahead with 295 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Salt Lake City sees 46.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 26.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 25.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 46.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 295 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Salt Lake City is the larger city
— approximately 4.8x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Salt Lake City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Salt Lake City | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 222,706 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.96% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Salt Lake City
Advantages
Exceptional access to outdoor recreation, including world-class skiing and hiking, is available within a short drive.
The job market is thriving, particularly in tech, healthcare, and professional services, with a 1.3% job growth rate in 2025.
Salt Lake City boasts a vibrant cultural scene, including a lively downtown, diverse dining, and arts.
Utilities costs are approximately 16% lower than the national average, helping to offset other expenses.
The city has a relatively young median age of 32.9 years, contributing to a dynamic and active community.
Drawbacks
The cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing expenses which are 20% more expensive.
Salt Lake City experiences periods of poor air quality, especially during winter inversions.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, and public transportation options are considered limited, leading to medium car dependency.
The median household income, while competitive, is lower than the state average.
The city's rapid growth has led to increased demand for housing and infrastructure, contributing to affordability challenges.
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.
Salt Lake City
#395Utah, USA
58.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,606
Avg Salary
$62,823
Cost Index
105
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
295/yr
Avg Temp
55.50°F
Pop. Growth
1.96%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
76
Business
72
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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