City Comparison
Wichita vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wichita scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wichita
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wichita is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
20% lower than in Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wichita's average rent is
17% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Wichita | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,138 | -17% |
| Groceries | $380 | $404 | -6% |
| Utilities | $170 | $194 | -12% |
| Transport | $110 | $312 | -65% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $226 | -3% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wichita offers 5% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wichita delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wichita is estimated at
$48,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Wichita | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,909 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $65,200 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wichita runs warmer on average — a 58.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wichita comes out ahead with 280 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wichita sees 7.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wichita | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 58.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 35.90 in | in |
| Snowfall | 7.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 280 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Wichita.
Wichita 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 | Wichita | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 32.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wichita is the larger city
— approximately 8.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wichita has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wichita | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 397,532 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wichita
Advantages
Median home prices in Wichita are significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership highly accessible per Zillow data.
Average daily commute times are notably shorter than the U.S. average, reducing daily transit stress per Census Bureau reports.
The city offers a robust and growing arts and culinary scene, particularly in the historic Old Town and Delano districts.
Wichita serves as a major regional healthcare hub with world-class hospital systems like Ascension Via Christi and Wesley Medical Center.
Abundant green spaces, including the Arkansas River multi-use paths and Botanica Gardens, provide strong outdoor recreation options.
Drawbacks
The local economy experiences cyclical fluctuations due to its heavy reliance on the aerospace manufacturing sector.
Public transportation options are limited, resulting in a high degree of car dependency for daily commuting and errands.
Summer temperatures can be quite high and breezy, while winters occasionally bring unpredictable severe weather and ice storms.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience higher property crime rates relative to suburban developments.
Voter-approved public transit and infrastructure funding have historically lagged behind growing metropolitan expansion needs.
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.
Wichita
#290Kansas, USA
61.4 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
58.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
75
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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