Buffalo NY vs Columbus 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%
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Columbus
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Columbus
29.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Columbus
5.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Columbus
7.9%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Columbus
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 906,480 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.0 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 14.4% | Columbus + |
| White | 45.4% | 53.3% | Columbus + |
| Black | 32.9% | 29.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.9% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Columbus
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $65,327 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $37,189 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,300 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.1% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 17.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 38.2% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Columbus
$248,749
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $248,749 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 44.3% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Columbus
1866
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1866 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Columbus
19.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Columbus
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Columbus
18.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.7% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.8% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.8% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.1% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.2% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Columbus
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Columbus
40.2 in
Columbus +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 40.2 in | Columbus + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Columbus
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbus, 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 +
Columbus
23.4 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Columbus, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.4 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Buffalo, NY vs New York, NYBuffalo, NY vs Los Angeles, CABuffalo, NY vs Chicago, ILBuffalo, NY vs Houston, TXBuffalo, NY vs Phoenix, AZBuffalo, NY vs Philadelphia, PA