Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
Buffalo
276,397
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
32.9%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 276,397 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 27.4% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 60.0% | 32.9% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
Baltimore +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $48,050 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $30,995 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 7.2% | Baltimore + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 27.4% | Baltimore + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 30.3% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
Buffalo
$241,380
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $241,380 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 42.7% | Baltimore + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
Baltimore +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
Buffalo
1736
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 434 | Baltimore + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1736 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
Baltimore +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 38.4% | Baltimore + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 19.1% | Baltimore + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 16.5% | Baltimore + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | 40.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baltimore leads in median household income at $59,623, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, Baltimore is safer with a violent crime rate of 433 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Baltimore has a lower unemployment rate at 6.6%, and Baltimore has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baltimore scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.1%.
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