City Comparison
San Jose vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
San Jose scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
San Jose
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
49% lower than in San Jose.
Housing costs are a major driver: San Jose's average rent is
198% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | San Jose | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $3,395 | $1,138 | +198% |
| Groceries | $480 | $404 | +19% |
| Utilities | $195 | $194 | +1% |
| Transport | $140 | $312 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $226 | +19% |
| Monthly Total | $4,480 | $2,274 | +97% |
| Cost Index | 175 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
San Jose offers 109% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, San Jose delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in San Jose is estimated at
$95,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | San Jose | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $115,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $95,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,714 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $146,427 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
San Jose runs warmer on average — a 61.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, San Jose comes out ahead with 319 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — San Jose sees 1.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | San Jose | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 61.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 43.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 319 | |
| Humidity | 60.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to San Jose.
San Jose scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, San Jose leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | San Jose | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 65.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
San Jose is the larger city
— approximately 21.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, San Jose has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | San Jose | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 989,814 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
San Jose
Advantages
Median household income in San Jose is exceptionally high at $146,427, nearly double the national average per the U.S. Census Bureau.
The city enjoys an outstanding climate featuring approximately 319 sunny days per year and mild seasonal temperatures.
San Jose's computer and mathematical occupational sectors command a mean hourly wage of $97.15, vastly outperforming national benchmarks.
The local economy is anchored by global tech innovators and massive employers, offering unmatched career growth in engineering and software.
Educational attainment is remarkably high, with nearly 49% of residents holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Drawbacks
The cost of living runs substantially above the national average, driven by high RPP indices and steep consumer prices.
Average monthly rent for apartments exceeds $3,300, placing heavy financial strain on renters.
Median home values surpass $1.2 million, creating significant barriers to entry for prospective homebuyers.
Traffic congestion during peak commuting hours on regional freeways can lead to frustrating daily transit times.
Property crime and vehicle break-ins remain persistent urban challenges across certain commercial corridors.
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.
San Jose
#492California, USA
53.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$3,395
Avg Salary
$115,000
Cost Index
175
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
319/yr
Avg Temp
61.70°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
79
Business
85
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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