Performance
Score Breakdown
Altona
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Altona is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
1% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Altona's average rent is
42% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Altona | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,618 | $1,138 | +42% |
| Groceries | $362 | $404 | -10% |
| Utilities | $208 | $194 | +7% |
| Transport | $69 | $312 | -78% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $2,257 | $2,274 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 16% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Altona delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Altona is estimated at
$42,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Altona | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $46,008 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,726 idx | 50,000 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Altona | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Altona has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Altona scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Altona leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Altona | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 12 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 85.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 80.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Altona is the larger city
— approximately 6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Altona has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Altona | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 281,136 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 42.3 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.71% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Altona
Advantages
Altona has a strong job market, particularly in media, advertising, and creative industries.
The borough offers excellent public transport connections via S-Bahn and U-Bahn, ensuring easy commutes.
Altona is known for its diverse, family-friendly environment and beautiful Elbe river views.
The area features a lively cultural scene with numerous restaurants, cafes, bars, and farmer's markets.
Altona is considered a safe place to live, with a safety rating of 4 out of 5.
Drawbacks
Rent in Altona is higher compared to some other districts within Hamburg.
Finding an apartment in Altona can be challenging due to high demand and low vacancy rates.
Some parts of Altona can feel too quiet in the evenings, depending on the specific neighborhood.
Parking can be confusing due to the prevalence of one-way streets.
There are reports of visible drug users and alcoholics near the train station, though they are generally described as peaceful.
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.
Altona
#2Hamburg, Germany
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,618
Avg Salary
$46,008
Cost Index
70
Commute
12 min
Transit Score
85.0/10
Walkability
80.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.71%
Livability
80
Business
70
Binghamton
#94New 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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