Performance
Score Breakdown
Cambridge
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Cambridge is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Cambridge's average rent is
30% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Cambridge | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,480 | $1,138 | +30% |
| Groceries | $340 | $404 | -16% |
| Utilities | $115 | $194 | -41% |
| Transport | $75 | $312 | -76% |
| Healthcare | $72 | $226 | -68% |
| Monthly Total | $2,082 | $2,274 | -8% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 26% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Binghamton delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Cambridge is estimated at
$32,800 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Cambridge | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,490 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $32,800 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 47,635 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $66,681 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Cambridge | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 74.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Cambridge has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,000 minutes (133 hours) per year compared to Binghamton.
Cambridge 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 | Cambridge | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 33.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cambridge is the larger city
— approximately 3.7x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Cambridge 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 | Cambridge | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,908 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 3.36% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 40.0 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 8.10% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Cambridge
Advantages
Cambridge crime rates are 26% lower than the national average, indicating a high level of safety. [cite: 14 in previous step]
The city boasts a strong and diverse industrial base, including advanced manufacturing and automotive sectors, with major employers like Toyota. [cite: 16, 21 in previous step]
Cambridge Memorial Hospital completed a major expansion by 2024, offering modern acute care facilities. [cite: 19, 35 in previous step]
The city offers extensive natural trails and is situated along the Grand River, providing ample outdoor recreational opportunities. [cite: 7, 13, 15, 38 in previous step]
Cambridge maintains a rich heritage character with distinctive limestone architecture and vibrant cultural districts like the Gaslight District. [cite: 7, 11, 13, 15, 26, 27 in previous step]
Drawbacks
The unemployment rate in the Kitchener-Cambridge-Waterloo CMA was 8.1% as of July 2026, which is higher than the national average. [cite: 29 in previous step]
Housing costs are a significant concern, with average rent being higher than the Canadian national average and home prices substantial. [cite: 3, 4, 10, 13, 23, 24 in previous step]
Public confidence in the healthcare system in Cambridge was reported as lower compared to other regional municipalities in 2023. [cite: 9, 45, 49 in previous step]
The city has a relatively low Walk Score (33) and Transit Score (35), indicating a car-dependent environment for most errands. [cite: 19, 22, 30, 41 in previous step]
Specific pockets within Downtown Galt and other areas experience higher rates of minor crimes like property crime and visible homelessness.
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.
Cambridge
#21Ontario, Canada
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,480
Avg Salary
$40,490
Cost Index
85
Commute
min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
33.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
3.36%
Unemployment
8.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
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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