Buffalo NY vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Chicago
35.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Chicago
28.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Chicago
7.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 45.4% | 39.1% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 28.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 7.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Chicago
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $75,134 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $48,148 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $68,110 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.9% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.8% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 43.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Chicago
$324,183
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $324,183 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 45.5% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Chicago
1842
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1842 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Chicago
12.0%
Chicago +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Chicago
19.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 32.6% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.0% | Chicago + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.0% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Chicago
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 36.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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