City Comparison
Wilmington vs Binghamton
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wilmington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wilmington
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
12% lower than in Wilmington.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wilmington's average rent is
45% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Wilmington | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,138 | +45% |
| Groceries | $420 | $404 | +4% |
| Utilities | $175 | $194 | -10% |
| Transport | $115 | $312 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $226 | +2% |
| Monthly Total | $2,590 | $2,274 | +14% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wilmington offers 12% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wilmington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wilmington is estimated at
$53,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Wilmington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,500 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $53,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,294 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $67,500 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wilmington runs warmer on average — a 65°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wilmington comes out ahead with 225 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wilmington sees 5.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wilmington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 65.00°F | °F |
| Summer High | 87.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 37.30°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 50.60 in | in |
| Snowfall | 5.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 225 | |
| Humidity | 72.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Wilmington.
Wilmington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Wilmington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wilmington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 33.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Wilmington is the larger city
— approximately 2.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Wilmington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wilmington | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,250 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.90% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 37.5 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.30% |
| GDP | — | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wilmington
Advantages
Median home price appreciation has stabilized after rapid post-pandemic growth, per Zillow data.
Abundant natural amenities including proximity to Wrightsville Beach and the Cape Fear River.
Robust job market anchored by Novant Health and UNCW with steady economic growth.
Thriving arts, culinary, and historic downtown scene with over 225 annual sunny days.
High educational attainment and vibrant community atmosphere driven by university presence.
Drawbacks
Higher cost of living and housing expenses compared to the North Carolina state average.
Vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes requiring higher insurance and prep costs.
Seasonal traffic congestion on corridors leading to local beaches during summer months.
Tight rental market inventory leading to elevated monthly apartment rents.
Car dependency outside of the compact historic downtown core.
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.
Wilmington
#258North Carolina, USA
62.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$61,500
Cost Index
102
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
225/yr
Avg Temp
65.00°F
Pop. Growth
1.90%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
76
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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