Broome County’s competitive edge: Affordability, accessibility, and quality of life - by Stacey Duncan

Across Upstate New York, economic momentum is building. From advanced manufacturing to clean energy innovation, new investments are rewriting the story of our region. But as this renaissance accelerates, the communities that will benefit most are those equipped not only with shovel-ready sites, but also with something even more important: a quality of life that makes people want to come here to work and stay to put down roots.

Broome County has that advantage. Our affordability, accessibility, and strong quality of life position us to capture the next wave of investment and job growth sweeping across Upstate.

Here, a dollar goes further. Binghamton’s cost-of-living is roughly 15% below the national average,  making it one of the most affordable markets in the country. According to Newmark’s Clean Tech Strategy study, Broome County is the fifth most affordable housing market nationwide. The home value countywide — between $181,000 and $195,000 — remains well below the U.S. average, putting homeownership within reach for working families, not out of sight.

These lower costs translate into stability. While the median household income still lags below New York’s averages, the balance between wages and costs allows people to own homes, raise families, and save for the future — luxuries that are increasingly out of reach in larger metropolitan areas. 

That affordability is matched by accessibility. The average commute time is just 18 minutes, giving residents more time with family and less time on the road. For employers, that balance is a decisive advantage when recruiting and retaining talent. And within a few hours’ drive, residents and businesses can reach major markets like New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston, as well as regional airports, universities, and supply-chain corridors that connect to more than 80 million consumers. That reach gives us a best-of-both-worlds small-town livability and big-market access.

This strategic position matters. As billion-dollar investments take shape across Upstate from anchor companies like Micron in Central New York, Broome is perfectly situated to serve as a hub for suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics firms eager to locate nearby without paying larger metro area premiums. 

Of course, those businesses need people and then need to ensure they can retain a skilled workforce. The formula isn’t complicated: people stay where they see a future. Broome County’s strong K–12 schools, higher education institutions, and workforce development programs are the foundation of that future.

Binghamton University, a nationally ranked research institution recognized as Premier Public Ivy, continues to anchor our innovation ecosystem, powering new industries from clean energy to advanced manufacturing. SUNY Broome and Broome Tioga BOCES career and technical programs complement that work with hands-on training and certifications that match employer demand, ensuring that companies locating here can hire skilled workers without searching far beyond county lines. Together, they create a seamless pipeline from classroom to career.

That alignment between education and industry is central to our long-term success. When schools, universities, and employers work in concert to prepare the next generation of talent, it sends a clear message to site selectors and investors alike: Broome County is ready to work, and ready to grow.

That same spirit of alignment extends to how we build and plan. Broome County’s development strategy is deliberate and collaborative, pairing workforce readiness with the physical infrastructure companies need to succeed. From the revitalization of the historic Huron Campus in Endicott to the transformation of Oakdale Commons into a modern mixed-use destination, we’re shaping growth that honors our heritage while preparing for tomorrow. Once the birthplace of IBM, the Huron Campus is being reimagined for a new era of innovation and employment, while the proposed Broome Technology Park will provide another critical landing spot for advanced industry and high-quality jobs.

These efforts are part of a larger story unfolding across Upstate — one where affordability, access, and livability are now as vital to success as infrastructure or incentives. Broome County embodies all three. 

We may not have the skyline of a major metro, but we boast a world-class arts scene with the globally renown LUMA projection art festival, the Binghamton Philharmonic, Triple Cities Opera, New York Mets affiliate and current Double AA Champions the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, and a stop on the Champions Tour Golf Tournament. Broome County creates a community where people can put down roots, businesses can scale with confidence, and the promise of a better future is within reach for everyone who calls Broome County home. That’s our competitive edge, and it will define our next era of growth.

Stacey Duncan is executive director of The Agency, president and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce; and director-at-large for the New York State Economic Development Council, Binghamton, N.Y.