Homes are going for about $117,400 on average. You can expect to pay around $867 for rent here. Household incomes average around $44,331 in Binghamton. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
Pros:
- Good schools
- Good healthcare facilities
- Plenty of shopping options
Cons:
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Homelessness issues downtown
- Not enough green space
Should I be concerned? Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
14 upvotes
19 Replies
Avery
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a nurse, 29, moved here 15 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Uptown and Cedar Grove, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Strong job market in several industries
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited shopping options
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The public transit situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for couples. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- Cedar Grove: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
40 upvotes
sunny_jordan2
Can confirm, been here 6 years.
38 upvotes
Samuel R.
hmm interesting perspective
38 upvotes
tampapapa2026
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Pittsburgh about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and quality of life.
Pros I've experienced:
- Active local events and festivals
- Four distinct seasons
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
Financially, we've found it excellent compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are pricey, gas is hit or miss.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
36 upvotes
Mateo Mendoza
Totally agree!
32 upvotes
Everett C.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 3 years. Moved from New York for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is solid. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are affordable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is surprisingly good - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Chain restaurants dominate. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 6/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
31 upvotes
Everett Murphy
The food scene here is better than expected. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I love the pace of life here.
31 upvotes
Violet Cook
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a pharmacist, 43, moved here 2 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Cedar Grove and The Heights, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Growing food and restaurant scene
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The traffic situation is stable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. pretty good vibes, walkable.
- The Heights: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Minneapolis, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $70K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
30 upvotes
Anna Carter
interesting, hadn't considered that
22 upvotes
Aria
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's been a really good experience overall. Internet is hit or miss in most areas.
19 upvotes
detroitvibes2022
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 5 years and it's not perfect but it works for me. The thing nobody mentions is outdoor recreation. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The West side vs the Oak Park side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Angela T.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Sunset. It's improving for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in consulting. If you're in education you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 12 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like farm-to-table.
Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
Michael Ortiz
exactly what I was thinking
14 upvotes
Ashley S.
I've lived in Sunset for about 14 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Nashville, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Active local events and festivals
- The safety scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for remote workers. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
14 upvotes
Leonardo Thomas
Came here for retirement and stayed because I'm still on the fence after all this time. The cost of living is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Nevaeh T.
Saving this thread
11 upvotes
Carter Harris
accurate
7 upvotes
Madeline Robinson
yep
4 upvotes
Alice
I work in marketing here and the quality of life is solid. The job market for my field is average. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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