Buffalo NY vs Cincinnati OH — 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%
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
7.1%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Cincinnati
38.7%
Cincinnati +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
2.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
5.4%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Cincinnati
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 309,595 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.0 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.1% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 49.4% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 32.9% | 38.7% | Cincinnati + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.4% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Cincinnati
$51,707
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Cincinnati
6.8%
Cincinnati +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Cincinnati
24.5%
Cincinnati +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $51,707 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $38,878 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,300 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 24.5% | Cincinnati + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 41.3% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
$252,784
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
38.9%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $252,784 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 38.9% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
1866
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1866 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Cincinnati
38.3%
Cincinnati +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
17.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Cincinnati
16.1%
Cincinnati +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 38.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.1% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.8% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.0% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Cincinnati + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
54.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
47.7 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 47.7 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Cincinnati
24.8 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cincinnati, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.8 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cincinnati leads in median household income at $51,707, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cincinnati scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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