Buffalo NY vs Clearwater FL — 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%
Clearwater, FL
Florida · Population: 117,075
- Median HH Income$64,440
- Median Home Price$341,503
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+32.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Clearwater
117,075
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Clearwater
46.4
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Clearwater
17.0%
Clearwater +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Clearwater
70.3%
Clearwater +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Clearwater
10.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Clearwater
3.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Clearwater
17.1%
Clearwater +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Clearwater
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 117,075 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 46.4 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 17.0% | Clearwater + |
| White | 45.4% | 70.3% | Clearwater + |
| Black | 32.9% | 10.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 17.1% | Clearwater + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Clearwater
$64,440
Clearwater +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Clearwater
$42,934
Clearwater +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Clearwater
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Clearwater
4.7%
Clearwater +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Clearwater
15.4%
Clearwater +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Clearwater
32.5%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $64,440 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $42,934 | Clearwater + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.7% | Clearwater + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.4% | Clearwater + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 32.5% | Clearwater + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Clearwater
$341,503
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Clearwater
59.1%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $341,503 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 59.1% | Clearwater + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Clearwater
324
Clearwater +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Clearwater
1453
Clearwater +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Clearwater + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Clearwater + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Clearwater
33.3%
Clearwater +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Clearwater
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Clearwater
16.8%
Clearwater +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Clearwater
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Clearwater
15.6%
Clearwater +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Clearwater
14.0%
Clearwater +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.3% | Clearwater + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.5% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.8% | Clearwater + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Clearwater + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.0% | Clearwater + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Clearwater
73.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Clearwater
54.7 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 73.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 54.7 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Clearwater
7.2 µg/m³
Clearwater +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Clearwater
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Clearwater + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Clearwater
25.3 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clearwater, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.3 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Clearwater leads in median household income at $64,440, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Clearwater is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Clearwater has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Clearwater has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Clearwater scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.3%.
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