City Comparison
Santa Catarina vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Santa Catarina scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Santa Catarina
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Santa Catarina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
47% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Santa Catarina's average rent is
43% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Santa Catarina | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,138 | -43% |
| Groceries | $300 | $404 | -26% |
| Utilities | $90 | $194 | -54% |
| Transport | $70 | $312 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $226 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $1,210 | $2,274 | -47% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 77% 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 Santa Catarina is estimated at
$10,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Santa Catarina | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $12,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $10,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 27,778 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $15,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Santa Catarina runs warmer on average — a 72.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Santa Catarina comes out ahead with 276 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Santa Catarina sees 0.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Santa Catarina | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 72.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 276 | |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Santa Catarina.
Santa Catarina scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Santa Catarina | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 58.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Santa Catarina is the larger city
— approximately 6.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Santa Catarina is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Santa Catarina has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Santa Catarina | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 306,322 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 29.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Santa Catarina
Advantages
Proximity to world-class outdoor recreation and rock climbing at La Huasteca National Park.
Strong local economy driven by manufacturing, logistics, and the ongoing nearshoring boom.
Strategic location within the Monterrey Metropolitan Area with direct highway access to Saltillo and the US border.
Growing commercial infrastructure, shopping centers, and modern residential developments.
Access to the advanced healthcare network and educational institutions of greater Monterrey.
Drawbacks
Traffic congestion along major industrial corridors during peak commuting hours.
Higher housing and rental costs in upscale residential zones near the mountain foothills.
Semi-arid climate experiences intense summer heat waves and occasional water scarcity issues.
Air quality can be impacted by regional industrial activity and vehicular emissions in the valley.
Public transit options within certain residential neighborhoods can be limited compared to central Monterrey.
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.
Santa Catarina
#8Nuevo León, Mexico
80.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$12,500
Cost Index
45
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
276/yr
Avg Temp
72.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.80%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
72
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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