binghamton
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Your dream may be to live surrounded by vibrant arts scene and stunning natural landscapes but not far away from urban amenities and there is no place better than Binghamton, NY to call your home. With its rich industrial heritage, growing economy, and plenty of recreational options, Binghamton attracts hundreds of people annually, turning into one of the most sought-after cities in New York.

Interestingly, Binghamton is just a two-hour drive to the Pennsylvania border, a two-hour drive to Albany, and a three-and-a-half-hour drive to New York City. If Binghamton is in your list of cities you seriously consider relocating, tons of queries may crop up in your mind. But worry not, as we’ve got answers for all of them. 

Yes, our ultimate Binghamton moving guide is the best encyclopedia of the city that you can get.  To get the best and most reliable information about the city’s lifestyle, people, schools, jobs, safety, and living cost, let’s walk forward.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before moving to Binghamton

  • Binghamton is referred to as ‘Carousel Capital of the World’ for its six antique carousels that are still standing today.
  • The city is a major economic center in New York State.
  • Binghamton is emerging as an education and education-focused city.
  • High poverty rate is a concern.
  • More job opportunities also exist here.
  • Manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation are major industries in Binghamton.
  • Low house ownership rate is also a major drawback.
  • There is a lot to do outdoors.
  • The city experiences heavy rainfall and snow annually.
  • There is a strong community feeling.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Binghamton

  • The cost of living is relatively low in Binghamton.
  • Public transportation is limited.
  • The city boasts of rich cultural heritage.
  • The crime rate is average.
  • The house ownership rate is low here.
  • There is a low risk of hurricanes and earthquakes.
  • High property tax is a concern.
  • The poverty rate is also high in Binghamton.
  • The city experiences a humid continental climate.
  • The proximity to the airport makes noise pollution a major drawback.

What is it Like to Live in Binghamton, NY?

One of the most preferred places in New York State, Binghamton promises residents a dense suburban feel. Low living costs, a relatively safer environment, and several fun activities will make life easier. Many young professionals live in Binghamton and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools and colleges are above average.

Is Binghamton Cheaper to Live?

One of the major pluses of Binghamton is the low cost of living. The city’s cost of living is 80.7, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 19.3% lower than the U.S. average and 33.6% lower than the average for New York. The average housing cost is 69.1% lower than the New York average. In addition, utilities such as electricity and internet services are relatively inexpensive in Binghamton.

Does Binghamton Get a Lot of Snow?

The city receives 50 inches of snow annually and most of the snow falls during the winter months. However, heavy snow can occur as early as November and as late as April. The climate is greatly influenced by winds that sweep across Lakes Erie and Ontario and the area is subject to cloudiness and snow flurries.

Why Should You Move to Binghamton?

Binghamton is a prominent industrial city in New York State with plenty of jobs. The city is relatively safer and is also home to above-average schools and colleges. While it has a strong community feeling, the cost of living is also pocket-friendly.

What's the Population of Binghamton, NY?

The city has a population of 47,828, which means 4,212 persons per square mile. Binghamton is home to an ethnically diverse population. The median age in Binghamton is 36.1 and the number of people per household is 2.3. Poverty is a major concern here and about 33.3% of the population lives under the poverty line.

  • Total population: 47,828
  • 48.9% males and 51.1% females
  • Median age: 36.1
  • 72.3% White, 11.2% Black or African American, 4.6% Asian, 4.6% from two or more races
  • 7.1% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity
  • Median household size: 2.3 persons
  • 32.5% of the residents are married couples living together
  • 25.5% of the residents are single and have children

How Fast Can You Commute to Binghamton, NY?

Binghamton is a small city and as a result, the roads are comparatively less crowded, even during peak hours. As a result, it is easier to drive and the average one-way commute in Binghamton is 21.5 minutes. That's shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

  • 71.4% drive their car alone
  • 9.3% carpool with others
  • 2.8% work from home
  • 7.9% take mass transit

What is the Weather Like in Binghamton, NY?

The city has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, wet summers with four distinct seasons. Summers are typically hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching into the high 80s and low 90s. Winters are cold, snowy, and windy, as temperatures drop to an average of 28 degrees in January. The city is the 10th rainiest city in the US, with 162 rainy days a year. The city is also the seventh cloudiest city in the country. July is the warmest month and January is the snowiest.

  • Binghamton receives about 40 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • The city averages 64 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, Binghamton gets about 152 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 150 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
  • July is the hottest month while January is the coldest.
move to DUMMY

Reasons to Move to Binghamton, NY

While you see many people moving to Binghamton, you’d be surprised why! And here are the reasons:

  • Low risk of natural disasters
  • Good schools
  • Low crime rate
  • More jobs
  • Peaceful atmosphere
  • Small town vibe
  • Good livability factors
pros

Pros and Cons of living in Binghamton

Moving to Binghamton is not always about the best things in the world. Do not assume that the city in New York State is free from all negatives as Binghamton too has got its share of negatives. Know both the pros and cons of Binghamton to analyze both before you make a final call.

Pros of living in Binghamton
  • Good living standards
  • Quality education
  • Many open spaces
  • Relatively low crime rate
  • Diverse population
  • Growing economy
  • Affordable living costs
Cons of living in Binghamton
  • Extreme weather patterns
  • High level of poverty
  • Low house ownership rates
  • No public transport
  • High property tax

Best neighborhoods in Binghamton

When you are serious about relocating to a new place, especially with the family, the neighborhood will be a crucial factor. As your new destination is Binghamton, we thought of listing out the best neighborhoods in the city and nearby. This will benefit you while searching for a home to buy or rent after reaching here.

 

Here are the top 10 best neighborhoods in Binghamton.

Rank Neighborhood Home Rental Home Value
1 Hawleyton / Park Terrace $2,445 $273,398
2 Binghamton South $1,317 $262,421
3 Chenango Bridge $1,792 $245,516
4 Binghamton Southwest $949 $221,718
5 Castle Creek $1,597 $217,815
6 Chenango Forks $1,911 $213,864
7 Binghamton West $2,069 $196,596
8 Binghamton Northwest $1,298 $192,714
9 Binghamton North $1,705 $180,950
10 North St / Front St $1,681 $169,841

Cost of Living in Binghamton ,NY

One of the major pluses of relocating to Binghamton is the affordable living costs. Despite being a growing city, you can comfortably live here without burning your wallet. The cost of living in Binghamton is 19.3% lower than the US average and 33.6% lower than the New York state average. Health, groceries, transport, utilities, and most other things cost less here than in most neighboring cities.

And to give you a good idea about the living cost; we’ve got the latest stats:

Living Expense Binghamton New York National Average
Overall 80.7 121.5 100
Grocery 97.7 103.8 100
Health 114.4 120.7 100
Housing 31.2 127.9 100
Median Home Cost $127,800 $413,600 $338,100
Utilities 96.2% 115.9% 100.0%
Transportation 77.2 140.7 100
Miscellaneous 115.0 121.8 100

How is the Job Market in Binghamton, NY?

Unless your company has moved you to Binghamton, you will require a job to survive in the city. Fortunately, the city has a booming economy and jobs have gone up in recent years. Education, healthcare, transport, manufacturing, and food services are major businesses here. Some big companies including Rockwell Collins, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and IBM have offices in the city.

Indicator Binghamton United States
Income per Cap $27,784 $37,638
Household Income $39,012 $69,021
Unemployment Rate 7.7% 6%
Recent Job Growth -5.8% -6.2%
Future Job Growth 18.2% 33.5%

Fastest Growing Jobs in Binghamton, NY

For those moving to Binghamton, understanding the fastest-growing jobs provides insights into the flourishing businesses in the area. Here are the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in Binghamton and nearby areas:

Rank Job title % Growth Average salary
1 Statistician 137.8% $83,070
2 Home Health Aide 133.6% $21,250
3 Web Developer 131.1% $88,080
4 Nurse Practitioner 128.2% $111,160
5 Biomedical Engineer 123.8% $88,530
6 Business Analyst 121.7% $89,180
7 Emergency Medical Technician 118.2% $39,680
8 Bartender 117.0% $23,680
9 Software Engineer 116.4% $99,950
10 Marketing Internship 111.4% $76,360

Top Career Options in Binghamton, NY

Having an idea about the best-paid jobs in Binghamton is essential for those planning to move. Here are the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Binghamton and nearby areas:

Rank Job title Average salary Entry level salary
1 Hospitalist Physician $238,404 $169,000
2 Internist $221,091 $123,000
3 Anesthesiologist/Physician $220,430 $118,660
4 Hospitalist $215,650 $148,000
5 Psychiatrist $212,618 $137,000
6 Professor $202,821 $117,000
7 Internists, General $202,740 $128,000
8 Physician $196,414 $109,000
9 Pediatrician $184,984 $123,000
10 Business Teacher $144,766 $61,060

Major Industries in Binghamton

  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Transport
  • Food Processing
  • Manufacturing

Best Companies to Work for in Binghamton, NY

  • UHS Binghamton General Hospital
  • Sunny Broome
  • Felchar Manufacturing
  • Mirabito
  • Electronic Links International
  • United Methodist Homes
  • TeamWorld
  • Chenango Forks Central School District
  • Rosanne Sall Advertising
  • Binghamton University

Average Salary & Income in Binghamton, NY

  • Binghamton’s average annual pay for average jobs is $47,784 a year
  • Binghamton’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $21.15 an hour
  • Binghamton’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $112.20 a week
  • Binghamton’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $4,377 a month
  • Binghamton’s top earners (90th percentile) make $103,646 annually

How is the Housing Market in Binghamton, NY?

Reaching Binghamton, your priority would be to rent a home in a decent neighborhood. And this is more crucial when you have a family. Unfortunately, the home-owner distribution is unequal here and it would be tough to get a good home at an affordable rent. Despite that, home rentals are more affordable here than most neighboring cities. About 44.9% of the residents in Binghamton stay in rented homes while 4.6% of houses in the city are available for rent.

Here are some of the latest housing stats in Binghamton:

  • Binghamton’s average rent for a studio apartment is $730
  • Binghamton’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $760
  • Binghamton’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $960
  • Binghamton’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,260
  • Binghamton’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,360

Taxes in Binghamton, NY

Your take-home salary in Binghamton is greatly influenced by the taxes deducted from the gross amount mentioned on the pay slip. This makes it crucial to know the taxes in the city to exactly know the take-home amount.  

Here are a few tax-related facts existing in Binghamton. 

  • The Sales Tax Rate for Binghamton is 8.0%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The Income Tax Rate for Binghamton is 6.5%. The US average is 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Binghamton is 1.62%.

Top Things to Do in Binghamton, NY

Binghamton is a great place to settle as it has plenty of activities inside the city and outside. A diverse food scene, neatly organized rich heritage points, and unlimited outdoors make the city a great place to reside.

 

To guide you more, we’ve collated a list of 10 top things to do in Binghamton..

  • Play at Robot City Games
  • Visit Binghamton Zoo at Ross Park
  • Explore Carousels
  • Taste Spiedie joints
  • Take a walk to Pumpkin Farms
  • Know the past at Phelps Mansion Museum
  • Watch a match at Visions Veterans Memorial Arena
  • Enjoy at Recreation Park
  • Explore Kopernik Observatory & Science Center
  • Appreciate the beauty of The Cider Mill

Safety in Binghamton, NY

Despite the authorities claiming Binghamton to be safer, the crime rate is not impressive. Here, the violent crime rate is slightly higher than the US average. The violent crime rate is 36.6 and the property crime rate is 62. 7. The city is safer than just 3%of the US cities but about 51% of residents feel safer here.

  • Binghamton’s violent crime is 36.6 while the US average is 22.7.
  • The city’s property crime is 62.7 while the US average is 35.4.
  • Your chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 138 in Binghamton.
  • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 24 in Binghamton.
  • About 51% of the residents find the city pretty safe.

Best Schools & Universities in Binghamton

Binghamton ranks high in education and most schools and colleges in the city are above average. This means, that if you are relocating here with the family, your child’s education won’t be an issue at all.   To help you, we’ve compiled names of the best schools and colleges in Binghamton and nearby. Here’s our list.

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