City Comparison
Stamford vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Stamford scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Stamford
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
37% lower than in Stamford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Stamford's average rent is
115% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Stamford | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,450 | $1,138 | +115% |
| Groceries | $520 | $404 | +29% |
| Utilities | $210 | $194 | +8% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $280 | $226 | +24% |
| Monthly Total | $3,610 | $2,274 | +59% |
| Cost Index | 142 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Stamford offers 60% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Stamford delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Stamford is estimated at
$75,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Stamford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $88,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $75,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,972 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $105,820 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Stamford runs warmer on average — a 52.9°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Stamford comes out ahead with 249 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Stamford sees 19.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Stamford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 52.90°F | °F |
| Summer High | 83.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.90°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 46.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 249 | |
| Humidity | 64.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,500 minutes (125 hours) per year compared to Stamford.
Stamford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Stamford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Stamford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 62.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Stamford is the larger city
— approximately 2.9x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Stamford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Stamford | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 135,470 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Stamford
Advantages
Median household income exceeds $105,000 per year per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Express Metro-North rail service gets commuters to New York City in under 50 minutes.
Vibrant downtown dining and entertainment district centered around Mill River Park.
Exceptional coastal access with multiple public parks and beaches along Long Island Sound.
Consistently ranked among the safest major cities in the state of Connecticut.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is roughly 40% higher than the national U.S. average.
Severe rush-hour traffic congestion on Interstate 95 and local connector roads.
High median rent prices make affordable housing a significant challenge for service workers.
Steep property tax rates compared to other regions across the United States.
Winter snow accumulation averages nearly 20 inches, requiring frequent seasonal maintenance.
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.
Stamford
#482Connecticut, USA
53.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,450
Avg Salary
$88,000
Cost Index
142
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
62.0/100
Walkability
61.0/100
Sunny Days
249/yr
Avg Temp
52.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
83
Business
79
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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