Buffalo NY vs Evansville IN — 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%
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Evansville
116,441
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Evansville
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Evansville
38.1
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Evansville
3.9%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Evansville
13.5%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Evansville
1.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Evansville
4.0%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Evansville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 116,441 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.1 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 3.9% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 77.1% | Evansville + |
| Black | 32.9% | 13.5% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 4.0% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Evansville
$52,251
Evansville +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Evansville
$31,236
Evansville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Evansville
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Evansville
5.3%
Evansville +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Evansville
18.6%
Evansville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Evansville
22.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $52,251 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $31,236 | Evansville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.3% | Evansville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 18.6% | Evansville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 22.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Evansville
53.9%
Evansville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $200,657 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 53.9% | Evansville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Evansville
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Evansville
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Evansville
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Evansville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Evansville
18.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 40.0% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.8% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.7% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.6% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Evansville
60.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Evansville
46.8 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 60.1°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 46.8 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Evansville
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Evansville leads in median household income at $52,251, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Evansville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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