City Comparison
Tempe vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tempe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tempe
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Tempe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tempe's average rent is
70% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Tempe | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,939 | $1,138 | +70% |
| Groceries | $440 | $404 | +9% |
| Utilities | $195 | $194 | +1% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,929 | $2,274 | +29% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tempe offers 38% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tempe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tempe is estimated at
$62,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Tempe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,381 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $79,663 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tempe runs warmer on average — a 76.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tempe comes out ahead with 327 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tempe sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tempe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 76.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 106.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 47.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 15.40 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 327 | |
| Humidity | 31.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Tempe.
Tempe 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 | Tempe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tempe is the larger city
— approximately 4.1x 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 | Tempe | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 190,571 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.53% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tempe
Advantages
Median property value in Tempe stands at $455,400 with steady regional appreciation per U.S. Census data.
Exceptional multi-modal transit featuring the Valley Metro Light Rail and free Orbit circulators connecting directly to Sky Harbor Airport.
Abundant outdoor recreation centered around Tempe Town Lake, Hayden Butte, and over 320 sunny days per year.
Thriving high-tech and educational economy driven by Arizona State University and major corporate employers.
Vibrant dining, arts, and cultural scene anchored by Downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue establishments.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 106°F requires high seasonal cooling expenditures.
Average monthly rent of $1,939 creates affordability challenges for lower-income renters and entry-level workers.
Property crime rates, particularly bicycle and vehicle thefts, are elevated around high-density student and entertainment zones.
Housing inventory for single-family homes is competitive, leading to fast-paced bidding and limited starter inventory.
Traffic congestion during peak university semesters and major stadium events impacts primary arterial corridors.
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.
Tempe
#412Arizona, USA
57.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,939
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
54.0/100
Sunny Days
327/yr
Avg Temp
76.30°F
Pop. Growth
0.53%
Unemployment
4.60%
Livability
79
Business
80
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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