City Comparison
Tijuana vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tijuana scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tijuana
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tijuana is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
30% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tijuana's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Tijuana | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $350 | $404 | -13% |
| Utilities | $110 | $194 | -43% |
| Transport | $80 | $312 | -74% |
| Healthcare | $100 | $226 | -56% |
| Monthly Total | $1,590 | $2,274 | -30% |
| Cost Index | 45 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 75% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tijuana is estimated at
$18,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Tijuana | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $14,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $18,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 31,111 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $16,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tijuana runs warmer on average — a 62.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tijuana comes out ahead with 315 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tijuana sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tijuana | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 62.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 74.00°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 49.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 16.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 315 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
13,000 minutes (217 hours) per year compared to Tijuana.
Tijuana scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Tijuana | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 42 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 55.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 72.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tijuana is the larger city
— approximately 47.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Tijuana is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Tijuana has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Tijuana | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,221,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 31.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 2.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tijuana
Advantages
Proximity to the US border allows for convenient international commuting and access to San Diego markets.
World-class culinary scene, craft breweries, and proximity to the Valle de Guadalupe wine region.
Affordable healthcare and a booming medical tourism sector providing low-cost, high-quality treatments.
Thriving manufacturing and industrial job market with strong economic momentum and foreign investment.
Lower overall cost of living compared to neighboring Southern California communities.
Drawbacks
High traffic congestion, particularly around major thoroughfares and the US border crossings.
Rising rental and real estate housing costs driven by high cross-border demand.
Security concerns and crime rates in certain peripheral or high-risk neighborhoods.
Infrastructure strains related to rapid population growth and water resource management.
Air quality challenges stemming from heavy vehicular traffic and industrial activity.
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.
Tijuana
#159Baja California, Mexico
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$14,000
Cost Index
45
Commute
42 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
55.0/100
Sunny Days
315/yr
Avg Temp
62.70°F
Pop. Growth
2.10%
Unemployment
2.80%
Livability
67
Business
74
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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