Buffalo NY vs Columbia 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%
Columbia, SC
South Carolina · Population: 138,019
- Median HH Income$55,653
- Median Home Price$229,993
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+46.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Columbia
138,019
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Columbia
28.7
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Columbia
5.1%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Columbia
49.9%
Columbia +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Columbia
39.5%
Columbia +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Columbia
2.7%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Columbia
5.7%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 138,019 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.7 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 5.1% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 49.9% | Columbia + |
| Black | 32.9% | 39.5% | Columbia + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.7% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Columbia
$55,653
Columbia +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Columbia
$38,087
Columbia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Columbia
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Columbia
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Columbia
23.3%
Columbia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Columbia
46.1%
Columbia +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $55,653 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $38,087 | Columbia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $54,550 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.6% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 23.3% | Columbia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 46.1% | Columbia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Columbia
$229,993
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Columbia
47.3%
Columbia +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $229,993 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 47.3% | Columbia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Columbia
398
Columbia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Columbia
1999
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Columbia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Columbia
34.4%
Columbia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Columbia
12.1%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Columbia
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Columbia
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Columbia
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Columbia
13.0%
Columbia +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.4% | Columbia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.1% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.2% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.7% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.0% | Columbia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Columbia
66.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Columbia
46.3 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 66.7°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 46.3 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Columbia
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Columbia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbia, 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
Columbia
18.6 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbia, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 18.6 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbia leads in median household income at $55,653, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $229,993. On public safety, Columbia is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Columbia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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