City Comparison
Valdosta vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Valdosta scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Valdosta
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Valdosta is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Binghamton.
| Metric | Valdosta | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,138 | +1% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,020 | $2,274 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Valdosta delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Valdosta is estimated at
$45,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Valdosta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,091 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $46,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Valdosta runs warmer on average — a 68.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Valdosta comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Valdosta sees 3.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Valdosta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 68.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 91.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 42.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 38.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 3.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Valdosta 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 | Valdosta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Valdosta is the larger city
— approximately 1.2x 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 | Valdosta | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,378 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 29.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Valdosta
Advantages
Median home prices in Valdosta are significantly lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
Valdosta State University provides robust educational and cultural amenities to the local community.
The city enjoys an abundance of sunny days with an average of 253 sunny days per year.
Strategic location along Interstate 75 offers convenient travel access to major hubs in Georgia and Florida.
Low overall cost of living index makes it an attractive destination for budget-conscious families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Summer temperatures and humidity levels can be quite intense during peak months.
Public transit infrastructure is limited, making car ownership a near-necessity.
Property crime rates in certain urban pockets are higher than the national median.
Average local salaries lag behind national benchmarks in several key service sectors.
Vulnerability to severe weather events, including tropical storms moving inland from the Gulf.
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.
Valdosta
#442Georgia, USA
56.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
68.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
70
Business
65
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Valdosta and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator