Performance
Score Breakdown
Rock Springs
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Rock Springs is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
63% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Rock Springs's average rent is
26% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Rock Springs | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $846 | $1,138 | -26% |
| Groceries | $0 | $404 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $194 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $312 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $846 | $2,274 | -63% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% lower average salaries.
The minimum comfortable salary in Rock Springs is estimated at
$33,840 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Rock Springs | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $33,840 | $45,000 |
| Household Income | $69,168 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Rock Springs | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 83.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Rock Springs.
Binghamton 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 | Rock Springs | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Binghamton is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Rock Springs.
From a growth perspective, Binghamton is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Rock Springs has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Rock Springs | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,051 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | % | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Rock Springs
Advantages
Affordable housing market with a median home value around $256,200.
Lower average rent for apartments compared to the national average, with 1-bedroom apartments averaging $846/month.
Shorter average commute times of 22.5 minutes compared to the national average.
Access to outdoor recreation, including Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
A strong sense of community rooted in a diverse historical immigrant population.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with low walkability and transit scores (Walk Score of 26).
Conflicting reports on crime rates, with some indicating rates higher than the national average.
Limited amenities and potentially lower quality of life scores in certain categories.
Population is projected to decline slightly annually.
No reliable data found for average individual salary or unemployment rate for the city.
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.
Rock Springs
#106Wyoming, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$846
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
95
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
65
Business
60
Binghamton
#106New 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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