Buffalo NY vs Charleston SC — 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%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 152,014 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.1 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 5.4% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 32.9% | 17.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.9% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $54,550 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $593,739 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 22.9% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 65.9°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 51.0 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.4 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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