City Comparison
Santa María del Río vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Santa María del Río scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Santa María del Río
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Santa María del Río is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
67% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Santa María del Río's average rent is
69% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Santa María del Río | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $350 | $1,138 | -69% |
| Groceries | $200 | $404 | -50% |
| Utilities | $65 | $194 | -66% |
| Transport | $50 | $312 | -84% |
| Healthcare | $80 | $226 | -65% |
| Monthly Total | $745 | $2,274 | -67% |
| Cost Index | 35 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 87% 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 María del Río is estimated at
$6,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Santa María del Río | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $7,200 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $6,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 20,571 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $8,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Santa María del Río runs warmer on average — a 67.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Santa María del Río comes out ahead with 275 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Santa María del Río sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Santa María del Río | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 67.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 48.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 20.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 275 | |
| Humidity | 52.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Santa María del Río.
Santa María del Río scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Santa María del Río leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Santa María del Río | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Santa María del Río.
From a growth perspective, Santa María del Río is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Santa María del Río has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Santa María del Río | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 42,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Santa María del Río
Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to major US and Mexican urban centers.
Rich cultural heritage as the historic capital of traditional Mexican rebozo weaving.
Pleasant climate featuring over 270 sunny days per year and mild seasonal variations.
Strong community cohesion and a peaceful, low-stress small-town environment.
Proximity to San Luis Potosí providing access to major industrial employment and advanced healthcare.
Drawbacks
Limited local high-paying professional career opportunities within the immediate municipality.
Reliance on neighboring San Luis Potosí for specialized medical care and higher education.
Public transportation options beyond regional buses and local taxis are somewhat limited.
Economic vulnerability tied closely to fluctuations in tourism and artisan craft markets.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan cities.
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 María del Río
#40San Luis Potosí, Mexico
77.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$350
Avg Salary
$7,200
Cost Index
35
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
275/yr
Avg Temp
67.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
74
Business
62
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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