City Comparison
Thornton vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Thornton scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Thornton
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Thornton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Thornton's average rent is
71% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Thornton | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,945 | $1,138 | +71% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $180 | $194 | -7% |
| Transport | $120 | $312 | -62% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $226 | +11% |
| Monthly Total | $2,895 | $2,274 | +27% |
| Cost Index | 105 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Thornton offers 42% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Thornton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Thornton is estimated at
$62,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Thornton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,286 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $103,088 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Thornton runs warmer on average — a 53.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Thornton comes out ahead with 285 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Thornton sees 22.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Thornton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 17.20 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 285 | |
| Humidity | 45.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Thornton.
Thornton scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Thornton leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Thornton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 48.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Thornton is the larger city
— approximately 3.2x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Thornton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Thornton has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Thornton | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 147,766 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.05% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Thornton
Advantages
Median household income stands strong at $103,088, comfortably outpacing the national median.
Strategic location along the I-25 corridor provides rapid access to downtown Denver and Denver International Airport.
Extensive recreational infrastructure featuring over 81 parks and extensive multi-use trail networks.
Direct commuter rail access to the Denver metro area via the RTD N Line stations.
Proactive municipal planning and infrastructure investment ensuring robust water supply and commercial growth.
Drawbacks
Cost of living sits roughly 5.8% above the national average, driven by competitive regional housing pressures.
High car dependency across many older neighborhoods outside of the newer transit-oriented developments.
Significant commuter traffic bottlenecks along major interstate corridors during peak morning and evening hours.
Average home purchase and rental prices have climbed sharply over recent years, challenging first-time buyers.
Continental interior climate brings volatile winter temperature swings and occasional heavy spring snowstorms.
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.
Thornton
#197Colorado, USA
63.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,945
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
105
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
285/yr
Avg Temp
53.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.05%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
76
Business
70
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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