City Comparison
St. Paul vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Paul scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Paul
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. Paul.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Paul's average rent is
28% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | St. Paul | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,459 | $1,138 | +28% |
| Groceries | $410 | $404 | +1% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,394 | $2,274 | +5% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Paul offers 33% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Paul delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Paul is estimated at
$97,211 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | St. Paul | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $73,394 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $97,211 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,899 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $73,394 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Paul runs warmer on average — a 46.6°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Paul comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Paul sees 32.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Paul | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.60°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.30°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 7.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 32.10 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to St. Paul.
St. Paul scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Paul leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Paul | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 43.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Paul is the larger city
— approximately 6.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Binghamton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Paul | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 306,684 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Paul
Advantages
Median home value of $294,500 sits approximately 11% below the U.S. national average per Census Bureau data.
Extensive park system featuring Como Park, more than 100 public parks, and extensive Mississippi River shoreline access.
Thriving higher education presence with esteemed institutions like Macalester College and the University of St. Thomas.
Rich cultural infrastructure, including the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts and world-class museums.
Robust public transit connectivity via the METRO Green Line light rail linking directly to downtown Minneapolis.
Drawbacks
Rigorous winter climate brings heavy seasonal snowfalls and prolonged sub-freezing temperatures.
Overall cost of living tracks roughly 4.8% above the national average driven by regional housing and tax structures.
State and local income tax burdens rank higher than the national median.
Property crime rates in specific commercial zones exceed national suburban medians.
Poverty rates in select urban core neighborhoods remain higher than state averages.
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. Paul
#523Minnesota, USA
50.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,459
Avg Salary
$73,394
Cost Index
105
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
46.60°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
77
Business
71
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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