City Comparison
Tucson vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Tucson scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Tucson
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Tucson.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tucson's average rent is
40% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Tucson | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,595 | $1,138 | +40% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $190 | $194 | -2% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $226 | +6% |
| Monthly Total | $2,560 | $2,274 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Tucson offers 15% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Tucson delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Tucson is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Tucson | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 64,948 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $57,073 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Tucson runs warmer on average — a 73.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Tucson comes out ahead with 321 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Tucson sees 1.8 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Tucson | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 73.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 102.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 44.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 14.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 1.80 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 321 | |
| Humidity | 38.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Tucson.
Tucson scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Tucson leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Tucson | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tucson is the larger city
— approximately 11.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Tucson 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 | Tucson | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 548,371 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tucson
Advantages
Average monthly rent of $1,595 offers better affordability than most major US metropolitan areas per Zillow 2026 data.
Exceptional outdoor recreation access with Saguaro National Park and Sabino Canyon located directly within and adjacent to the city limits.
Recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy featuring world-renowned Sonoran culinary traditions and local dining.
Over 321 days of annual sunshine providing an ideal climate for outdoor enthusiasts and solar energy adoption.
Strong institutional economic anchors driven by the University of Arizona and major aerospace employers like Raytheon.
Drawbacks
Extreme summer high temperatures averaging 102.1°F create high seasonal cooling utility demands and limit midday outdoor activity.
Local median household income of $57,073 trails national benchmarks, reflecting regional wage disparities.
Poverty rates hover around 18.1%, presenting ongoing socioeconomic challenges in specific urban pockets.
Property crime rates remain higher than the national average in select urban and commercial corridors.
High reliance on automobile transportation outside of the central downtown and university streetcar zones.
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.
Tucson
#437Arizona, USA
56.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,595
Avg Salary
$63,000
Cost Index
97
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
321/yr
Avg Temp
73.10°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.50%
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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