City Comparison
Seattle vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Seattle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Seattle
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
33% lower than in Seattle.
Housing costs are a major driver: Seattle's average rent is
98% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Seattle | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,250 | $1,138 | +98% |
| Groceries | $520 | $404 | +29% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $140 | $312 | -55% |
| Healthcare | $290 | $226 | +28% |
| Monthly Total | $3,410 | $2,274 | +50% |
| Cost Index | 152 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Seattle offers 78% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Seattle delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Seattle is estimated at
$82,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Seattle | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $98,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $82,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,474 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Seattle runs warmer on average — a 54.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Seattle comes out ahead with 238 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Seattle sees 8.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Seattle | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 76.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 38.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 8.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 238 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Seattle.
Seattle scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Seattle leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Seattle | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 70.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 73.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 62.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Seattle is the larger city
— approximately 16.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Seattle is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Seattle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Seattle | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 783,155 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.8 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Seattle
Advantages
Thriving job market anchored by global tech, aerospace, and biotech leaders
Unmatched access to outdoor recreation including mountains, forests, and marine waters
High median household income well above the national average
Vibrant culinary, coffee, and craft beverage culture
Progressive, highly educated, and culturally active community
Drawbacks
Significantly higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the U.S. average
Frequent overcast skies and high annual rainfall during the winter months
Persistent traffic congestion during peak commuting hours
Urban property crime and public safety challenges in specific downtown sectors
High barrier to entry for prospective first-time home buyers
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.
Seattle
#513Washington, USA
51.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,250
Avg Salary
$98,000
Cost Index
152
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
70.0/100
Walkability
73.0/100
Sunny Days
238/yr
Avg Temp
54.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
84
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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