Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- 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
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
276,397
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
8.2%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | 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
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | 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 | $59,120 | $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
Asheville
$461,425
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 42.7% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
Asheville +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Asheville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 38.4% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.4% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 19.1% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 9.4% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 16.3% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 16.5% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
Buffalo
21.6 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | 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, Asheville is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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