Performance
Score Breakdown
Schenectady
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Binghamton is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
36% higher compared to Schenectady.
Housing costs are a major driver: Schenectady's average rent is
25% higher than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Schenectady | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,425 | $1,138 | +25% |
| Groceries | $442 | $404 | +9% |
| Utilities | $323 | $194 | +66% |
| Transport | $899 | $312 | +188% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $3,089 | $2,274 | +36% |
| Cost Index | 99 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schenectady offers 1% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Schenectady delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Schenectady is estimated at
$70,000 vs $45,000 in Binghamton.
| Metric | Schenectady | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,374 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $45,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,933 idx | 50,000 idx |
| Household Income | $58,399 | $45,578 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Schenectady | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 66.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Schenectady.
Schenectady scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Schenectady leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Schenectady | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 50.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Schenectady is the larger city
— approximately 1.5x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Schenectady 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 | Schenectady | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 68,847 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $11.3B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Schenectady
Advantages
Exceptional Livability Score of 78/100 [22].
Cost of living is 18% lower than the New York State average [22].
Median sale price of homes increased by 6.2% year-over-year as of June 2026 [25].
Revitalized downtown area with growing tech firms and cultural attractions [41].
Schenectady County experienced a 5% GDP growth in 2023 [8].
Drawbacks
High crime rates, with a safety grade of 'F' and violent crime rates significantly above national averages [8, 22].
Homeownership rate (45.6%) is lower than the national average (65.2%) [3].
Median household income ($58,399) is lower than the national average.
Moderate public transit score of 50/100 [27].
Higher than average transportation costs (5% higher than national average) [21].
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.
Schenectady
#56New York, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,425
Avg Salary
$55,374
Cost Index
99
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
50.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
78
Business
65
Binghamton
#98New 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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Schenectady and Binghamton.
Open Cost Calculator