Buffalo NY vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Durham
34.8
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Durham
5.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.8 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 45.4% | 44.0% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Durham
$79,234
Durham +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Durham
$47,246
Durham +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Durham
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Durham
4.2%
Durham +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Durham
12.2%
Durham +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Durham
55.7%
Durham +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $79,234 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $47,246 | Durham + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.2% | Durham + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.2% | Durham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 55.7% | Durham + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Durham
$399,509
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Durham
51.8%
Durham +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $399,509 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 51.8% | Durham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Durham
398
Durham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Durham
1999
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Durham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Durham
36.8%
Durham +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Durham
10.2%
Durham +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Durham
16.2%
Durham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Durham
11.2%
Durham +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 36.8% | Durham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.2% | Durham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Durham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.2% | Durham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Durham
57.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Durham
47.8 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 57.9°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 47.8 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Durham
24.3 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.3 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Durham leads in median household income at $79,234, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Durham has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Durham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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