Performance
Score Breakdown
Altenburg
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altenburg is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
20% lower compared to Binghamton.
| Metric | Altenburg | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,050 | $1,138 | -8% |
| Groceries | $565 | $404 | +40% |
| Utilities | $126 | $194 | -35% |
| Transport | $82 | $312 | -74% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,823 | $2,274 | -20% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 14% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Altenburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Altenburg is estimated at
$24,534 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Altenburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,124 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $24,534 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 52,360 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $45,845 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Altenburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altenburg has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Altenburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altenburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altenburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 77.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Altenburg.
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 | Altenburg | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,580 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.58% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | |
| Unemployment | 6.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altenburg
Advantages
Altenburg boasts a very high quality-of-life score of 84/100, with strengths in healthcare, green space, cleanliness, and infrastructure.
The city is highly safe, ranking in the upper tier with a safety index of 83/100, characterized by strong personal safety and low night-time crime.
Altenburg is considered very family-friendly, supported by good education access, safety, parks, and healthcare.
The cost of living is manageable, with a single resident spending approximately $1,574 per month excluding rent, which is around the average for Germany.
The city offers excellent walkability (77/100) and cycling (83/100) scores, along with a functional public transport network.
Drawbacks
Altenburg has a smaller social bubble and a more limited international scene compared to major metropolitan hubs.
Local integration for non-German speakers may be more demanding due to a lower density of English speakers.
The city experienced a significant population decline of nearly 40% since 1988, indicating historical economic challenges.
Specific job growth rates and new business growth rates for Altenburg are not readily available, making economic growth assessment challenging.
The median age is not precisely available, but the age distribution suggests a notable proportion of older residents, which could impact future workforce dynamics.
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.
Altenburg
#1Thuringia, Germany
76.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,050
Avg Salary
$47,124
Cost Index
90
Commute
min
Transit Score
75.0/10
Walkability
77.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.58%
Unemployment
6.20%
Livability
84
Business
72
Binghamton
#93New York, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,138
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
110
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
33.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
68
Business
60
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