Atlanta GA 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)
Atlanta, GA
Georgia · Population: 499,287
- Median HH Income$81,938
- Median Home Price$387,752
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+58.4%
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
Atlanta
499,287
Atlanta +
Buffalo
276,397
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Atlanta
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Atlanta
34.0
Atlanta +
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Atlanta
8.6%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Atlanta
39.9%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Atlanta
46.9%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Atlanta
5.0%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Atlanta
6.3%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Atlanta
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 499,287 | 276,397 | Atlanta + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.3 | Atlanta + |
| Foreign Born | 8.6% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 39.9% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 46.9% | 32.9% | Atlanta + |
| Asian | 5.0% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 6.3% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Atlanta
$81,938
Atlanta +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Atlanta
$64,063
Atlanta +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Atlanta
$57,405
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Atlanta
5.9%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Atlanta
17.9%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Atlanta
58.4%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,938 | $48,050 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Income | $64,063 | $30,995 | Atlanta + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 7.2% | Atlanta + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.9% | 27.4% | Atlanta + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.4% | 30.3% | Atlanta + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Atlanta
$387,752
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Atlanta
46.3%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $387,752 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.3% | 42.7% | Atlanta + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
392
Atlanta +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Atlanta
1752
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 434 | Atlanta + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
29.3%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
10.6%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Atlanta
17.2%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.3%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
17.2%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Atlanta
11.1%
Atlanta +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.3% | 38.4% | Atlanta + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 13.4% | Atlanta + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 19.1% | Atlanta + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.2% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 16.5% | Atlanta + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
N/A
Buffalo
48.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Atlanta
51.5 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Atlanta
9.8 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Atlanta
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Atlanta
28.7 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.7 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Atlanta leads in median household income at $81,938, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Atlanta is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Atlanta has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Atlanta scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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