City Comparison
Schaumburg vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Schaumburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Schaumburg
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Schaumburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Schaumburg's average rent is
63% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,138 | +63% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,815 | $2,274 | +24% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schaumburg offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schaumburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Schaumburg is estimated at
$62,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $91,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Schaumburg runs warmer on average — a 50.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Schaumburg comes out ahead with 255 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Schaumburg sees 27 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 17.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 34.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Schaumburg.
Schaumburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Binghamton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Schaumburg is the larger city
— approximately 1.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Schaumburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 78,723 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Schaumburg
Advantages
Home to Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States, offering extensive retail and dining options.
Consistently low crime rates and proactive local policing make it one of the safest communities in the region.
Exceptional park district maintaining over 70 parks, community centers, and recreational facilities for residents.
Strong corporate employment base with major headquarters located directly within the municipal boundaries.
Convenient access to Interstate 90 provides efficient commuting routes to downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport.
Drawbacks
Cook County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, putting a heavy financial burden on homeowners.
High level of car dependency outside of core commercial zones, leading to heavy traffic congestion around major retail hubs.
Overall cost of living sits noticeably above the national average, driven primarily by housing and local tax structures.
Winters can be harsh and prolonged, bringing heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that limit outdoor activities.
Lack of a rapid transit rail station directly within the village center requires reliance on buses or driving to reach Metra stations.
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.
Schaumburg
#237Illinois, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
81
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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