City Comparison
West Allis vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
West Allis scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
West Allis
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
West Allis is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
5% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Allis's average rent is
10% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | West Allis | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,138 | +10% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $2,155 | $2,274 | -5% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
West Allis offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, West Allis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in West Allis is estimated at
$52,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | West Allis | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,085 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $63,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
West Allis runs warmer on average — a 48.7°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, West Allis comes out ahead with 266 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — West Allis sees 28.2 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | West Allis | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.70°F | °F |
| Summer High | 79.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 15.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 28.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 28.20 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 266 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to West Allis.
West Allis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Allis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Allis | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
West Allis is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, West Allis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | West Allis | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 60,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Allis
Advantages
Median home prices remain notably more affordable than neighboring Milwaukee suburbs like Wauwatosa per regional real estate data.
Home to the historic West Allis Farmers Market, offering fresh local produce and community events.
Convenient central location in Milwaukee County with direct freeway access and robust public transit connections.
Strong presence of local parks, recreational facilities, and the renowned Wisconsin State Fair Park.
Active commercial corridors featuring a growing array of local breweries, cafes, and diverse dining establishments.
Drawbacks
Aging housing stock in certain neighborhoods may require significant maintenance or energy-efficiency updates.
Property taxes in Milwaukee County can be relatively high compared to national averages.
Winters bring significant snowfall (28.2 inches annually) and cold temperatures requiring robust winter preparedness.
Certain major thoroughfares experience heavy traffic congestion during peak morning and evening commuting hours.
Limited high-speed rail or heavy rail transit options directly within the municipal boundaries.
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.
West Allis
#351Wisconsin, USA
59.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
52.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
266/yr
Avg Temp
48.70°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
75
Business
69
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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