City Comparison
State College vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
State College scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
State College
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in State College.
Housing costs are a major driver: State College's average rent is
63% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | State College | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,138 | +63% |
| Groceries | $450 | $404 | +11% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,850 | $2,274 | +25% |
| Cost Index | 119 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
State College offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, State College delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in State College is estimated at
$55,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | State College | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 54,622 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $45,424 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
State College runs warmer on average — a 50.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, State College comes out ahead with 244 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — State College sees 18.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | State College | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 36.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 244 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
State College scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, State College leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | State College | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of State College.
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 | State College | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,050 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.21% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 21.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
State College
Advantages
High walkability score, with many errands accomplishable on foot in the downtown area.
Strong educational environment due to the presence of Pennsylvania State University.
Vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals, arts events, and entertainment venues.
Lower than national average violent crime rate, contributing to a generally safe environment.
Affordable home care options compared to the state average.
Drawbacks
Cost of living is higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
The median age in the borough is very low (21.2), indicating a significant student population which may influence the city's overall character and services.
While the borough is walkable, surrounding areas may have higher car dependency.
Crime rate is higher than the Pennsylvania state average, though lower than the national average for some metrics.
Median household income in the borough is significantly lower than the national average.
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.
State College
#576Pennsylvania, USA
46.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
119
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
244/yr
Avg Temp
50.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.21%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
86
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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