City Comparison
St. Clair Shores vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Clair Shores scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Clair Shores
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in St. Clair Shores.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Clair Shores's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $130 | $312 | -58% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,405 | $2,274 | +6% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Clair Shores offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Clair Shores delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Clair Shores is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $68,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,388 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $78,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Clair Shores runs warmer on average — a 50.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Clair Shores comes out ahead with 244 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Clair Shores sees 33.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 32.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 33.50 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to St. Clair Shores.
St. Clair Shores 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 | St. Clair Shores | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Clair Shores is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Clair Shores has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Clair Shores | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 58,800 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 43.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Clair Shores
Advantages
Extensive waterfront access and boating culture along the famous Nautical Mile and Lake St. Clair
Crime rates consistently lower than both Michigan state averages and national benchmarks
More affordable housing options compared to western and northern Detroit metro suburbs
Proximity to major regional employment centers in Detroit, Warren, and Troy via I-94
Active municipal park system featuring popular community gathering spots like Blossom Heath Park
Drawbacks
High car-dependency with limited robust public mass transit options within city borders
Older housing stock often requires ongoing maintenance and updates for modern energy efficiency
Property tax rates in Macomb County can be relatively high compared to some outer-ring suburbs
Winters bring substantial snowfall (33.5 inches annually) requiring regular snow removal
Limited large corporate headquarters physically located inside city limits, necessitating commutes
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.
St. Clair Shores
#139Michigan, USA
65.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$68,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.10°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
76
Business
68
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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