Buffalo NY vs Burlington VT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Burlington, VT
Vermont · Population: 44,649
- Median HH Income$68,854
- Median Home Price$510,361
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+60.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Burlington
44,649
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Burlington
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Burlington
26.7
Burlington +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Burlington
7.2%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Burlington
85.8%
Burlington +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Burlington
3.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Burlington
3.7%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Burlington
3.3%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Burlington
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 44,649 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 26.7 | Burlington + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.2% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 85.8% | Burlington + |
| Black | 32.9% | 3.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.7% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 3.3% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Burlington
$68,854
Burlington +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Burlington
$39,027
Burlington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Burlington
$63,829
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Burlington
4.6%
Burlington +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Burlington
23.0%
Burlington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Burlington
60.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $68,854 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $39,027 | Burlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,829 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.6% | Burlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 23.0% | Burlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 60.5% | Burlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Burlington
$510,361
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Burlington
39.8%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $510,361 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 39.8% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Burlington
224
Burlington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Burlington
1714
Burlington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 224 | Burlington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1714 | Burlington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Burlington
23.1%
Burlington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Burlington
5.4%
Burlington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Burlington
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Burlington
6.9%
Burlington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Burlington
19.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Burlington
9.5%
Burlington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 23.1% | Burlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 5.4% | Burlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.3% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.9% | Burlington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.1% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.5% | Burlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Burlington
46.0°F
Burlington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Burlington
36.8 in
Burlington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.0°F | Burlington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 36.8 in | Burlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Burlington
6.2 µg/m³
Burlington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Burlington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Burlington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Burlington
20.6 min
Burlington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Burlington, VT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.6 min | Burlington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Burlington leads in median household income at $68,854, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Burlington is safer with a violent crime rate of 224 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Burlington has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Burlington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Burlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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