Ann Arbor MI vs Buffalo NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$531,674
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
276,397
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
8.2%
Hispanic
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 276,397 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 10.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 45.4% | - |
| Black | N/A | 32.9% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.7% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Ann Arbor
$58,052
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $48,050 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $30,995 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 7.2% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 27.4% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 30.3% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Ann Arbor
$531,674
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $531,674 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 42.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
471
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
1590
Ann Arbor +
Buffalo
1736
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 434 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1736 | Ann Arbor + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
25.8%
Ann Arbor +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.4%
Ann Arbor +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Ann Arbor +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
6.0%
Ann Arbor +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
18.3%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Ann Arbor
9.1%
Ann Arbor +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.8% | 38.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.4% | 13.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.3% | 19.1% | Ann Arbor + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.0% | 9.4% | Ann Arbor + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.3% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 16.5% | Ann Arbor + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
48.4°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.4°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 40.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Ann Arbor
10.7 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Ann Arbor
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Ann Arbor
N/A
Buffalo
21.6 min
| Metric | Ann Arbor, MI | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 21.6 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Ann Arbor. Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Ann Arbor scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.8%.
Compare More Cities
Ann Arbor, MI vs New York, NYAnn Arbor, MI vs Los Angeles, CAAnn Arbor, MI vs Chicago, ILAnn Arbor, MI vs Houston, TXAnn Arbor, MI vs Phoenix, AZAnn Arbor, MI vs Philadelphia, PA