City Comparison
Wheeling vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wheeling scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wheeling
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wheeling is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wheeling's average rent is
25% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Wheeling | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $850 | $1,138 | -25% |
| Groceries | $360 | $404 | -11% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,710 | $2,274 | -25% |
| Cost Index | 84 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wheeling delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wheeling is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Wheeling | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,905 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $48,000 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wheeling runs warmer on average — a 54.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wheeling comes out ahead with 229 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wheeling sees 22.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wheeling | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.10°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 22.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 229 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Wheeling.
Wheeling 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 | Wheeling | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 38.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Wheeling.
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 | Wheeling | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,000 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.50% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wheeling
Advantages
Median home prices in Wheeling are substantially lower than the national average per recent housing market data.
Oglebay Resort and Wheeling Park offer extensive year-round recreational activities, golf courses, and green spaces.
The city features stunning 19th-century Victorian architecture and historic landmarks like the Wheeling Suspension Bridge.
Healthcare sector employment provides strong job stability through major institutions like WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital.
Traffic congestion is minimal, ensuring short and manageable average commute times for local workers.
Drawbacks
Population growth has remained flat or experienced slight declines over recent census cycles.
Public transit options are limited, making reliable personal vehicle ownership virtually essential for daily life.
Average household incomes trail behind national benchmarks due to the ongoing economic transition away from heavy industry.
Winter weather brings notable snowfall and freezing temperatures that can impact local travel.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options compared to larger metropolitan centers nearby like Pittsburgh.
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.
Wheeling
#378West Virginia, USA
59.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$850
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
84
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
38.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
229/yr
Avg Temp
54.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.50%
Livability
72
Business
64
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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