City Comparison
Starkville vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Starkville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Starkville
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 Starkville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Starkville's average rent is
58% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Starkville | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,800 | $1,138 | +58% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,800 | $2,274 | +23% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Starkville offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Starkville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Starkville is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Starkville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $42,125 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Starkville runs warmer on average — a 65.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Starkville comes out ahead with 248 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Starkville sees 2.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Starkville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 89.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.00°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 49.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 2.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 248 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Starkville.
Binghamton 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 | Starkville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 29.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Starkville.
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 | Starkville | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 25,753 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 26.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Starkville
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with an index of 95, making it slightly less expensive than the national average.
Strong educational environment and cultural vibrancy driven by Mississippi State University.
Low violent crime rate, making it one of the safer cities in the nation in this regard.
Friendly community atmosphere and Southern hospitality, contributing to a welcoming environment.
Significant economic contribution from tourism, with nearly $200 million in visitor spending in 2024.
Drawbacks
High car dependency for most transportation needs, with a walkability score of 29.
Job market heavily reliant on the university and specific industries like education and manufacturing.
Limited public transportation options outside of university routes.
OCH Regional Medical Center has received mixed ratings, with an overall CMS rating of 2 out of 5 stars.
Median rent is approximately $1,800 per month, which can be a significant cost for some residents.
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.
Starkville
#371Mississippi, USA
59.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,800
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
30.0/100
Walkability
29.0/100
Sunny Days
248/yr
Avg Temp
65.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
6.10%
Livability
74
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Starkville and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator