Performance
Score Breakdown
Tauranga
Binghamton
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Tauranga is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
42% lower compared to Binghamton.
Housing costs are a major driver: Tauranga's average rent is
41% lower than Binghamton's.
| Metric | Tauranga | Binghamton | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $668 | $1,138 | -41% |
| Groceries | $400 | $404 | -1% |
| Utilities | $111 | $194 | -43% |
| Transport | $150 | $312 | -52% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $226 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $1,329 | $2,274 | -42% |
| Cost Index | 70 | 110 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Binghamton offers 100% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Tauranga | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $0 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $45,000 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Tauranga | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Binghamton has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,500 minutes (75 hours) per year compared to Tauranga.
Tauranga 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 | Tauranga | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/10 | 33.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Tauranga is the larger city
— approximately 3.6x the population of Binghamton.
From a growth perspective, Tauranga 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 | Tauranga | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,633 | 46,773 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.20% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 39.4 | 35.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.30% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $13.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Tauranga
Advantages
Tauranga's population is growing rapidly, with a 2.2% annual increase to 2026, indicating strong appeal and development.
The city boasts a very high Climate Index of 98.04, offering warm summers and mild winters ideal for outdoor activities.
Tauranga has a high Quality of Life Index of 186.37, reflecting a desirable lifestyle with extensive outdoor access and a relaxed coastal pace.
The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand's largest, making the city a significant hub for international trade and a strong export economy, particularly in horticulture.
The cost of living index is moderate at 66.55 (relative to NYC), suggesting it is more affordable than many major global cities.
Drawbacks
Housing affordability is a pressure point, with average home values over $1 million NZD as of March 2026.
Public transportation is not yet optimized, making private vehicle ownership often essential for commuting.
The city has fewer career opportunities and limited higher education options compared to larger metropolitan centers.
Tauranga experiences congested port traffic, which can impact local transportation and infrastructure.
Specific monthly grocery costs for Tauranga are difficult to ascertain for 2024+, with available data appearing lower than typical estimates.
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.
Tauranga
#2Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$668
Avg Salary
$0
Cost Index
70
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.20%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
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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