City Comparison
Victory Square vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Victory Square scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Victory Square
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Victory Square.
Housing costs are a major driver: Victory Square's average rent is
27% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Victory Square | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $1,138 | +27% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $160 | $194 | -18% |
| Transport | $100 | $312 | -68% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $226 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,330 | $2,274 | +2% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Victory Square delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Victory Square is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Victory Square | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Victory Square | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Victory Square scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Victory Square leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Victory Square | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 35.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Victory Square.
From a growth perspective, Victory Square 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 | Victory Square | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 4,500 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Victory Square
Advantages
Located in Nelson, which receives over 2,400 sunshine hours annually per NIWA climate data.
High walkability and strong cycling infrastructure connecting directly to the city centre.
Active, diverse community anchored by the Victory Community Centre and local gardens.
Proportionately lower traffic congestion and shorter commute times than major metropolitan centres.
Immediate proximity to world-class national parks, beaches, and outdoor recreation.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability has tightened significantly in line with national New Zealand real estate trends.
Limited large-scale industrial or corporate employment directly within the neighborhood.
Public transport frequency outside of peak hours is relatively limited compared to major cities.
High demand for rental properties can make finding accommodation competitive.
Vulnerability to regional weather events typical of top-of-the-south geography.
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.
Victory Square
#31Nelson, New Zealand
63.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
75.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
80
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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