Buffalo NY vs Dearborn MI — 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%
Dearborn, MI
Michigan · Population: 107,846
- Median HH Income$65,192
- Median Home Price$248,262
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+34.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Dearborn
107,846
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Dearborn
32.6
Dearborn +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Dearborn
29.4%
Dearborn +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Dearborn
88.0%
Dearborn +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Dearborn
3.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Dearborn
2.0%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Dearborn
3.0%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Dearborn
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 107,846 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.6 | Dearborn + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 29.4% | Dearborn + |
| White | 45.4% | 88.0% | Dearborn + |
| Black | 32.9% | 3.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.0% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 3.0% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Dearborn
$65,192
Dearborn +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Dearborn
$29,900
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Dearborn
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Dearborn
6.8%
Dearborn +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Dearborn
24.3%
Dearborn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Dearborn
34.3%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $65,192 | Dearborn + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $29,900 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,052 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.8% | Dearborn + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 24.3% | Dearborn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 34.3% | Dearborn + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Dearborn
$248,262
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Dearborn
68.2%
Dearborn +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $248,262 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 68.2% | Dearborn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Dearborn
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Dearborn
1590
Dearborn +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 471 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1590 | Dearborn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Dearborn
33.7%
Dearborn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Dearborn
11.2%
Dearborn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Dearborn
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Dearborn
8.2%
Dearborn +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Dearborn
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Dearborn
18.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.7% | Dearborn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.2% | Dearborn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.5% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.2% | Dearborn + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.2% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Dearborn
50.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Dearborn
33.9 in
Dearborn +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 50.1°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 33.9 in | Dearborn + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Dearborn
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Dearborn
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.7 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Dearborn
22.8 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dearborn, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.8 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Dearborn leads in median household income at $65,192, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Dearborn. Dearborn has a lower unemployment rate at 6.8%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Dearborn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.7%.
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