Buffalo NY vs Fayetteville 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%
Fayetteville, NC
North Carolina · Population: 209,692
- Median HH Income$56,395
- Median Home Price$226,710
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
209,692
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Fayetteville
30.7
Fayetteville +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
7.6%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
38.3%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Fayetteville
42.3%
Fayetteville +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
3.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Fayetteville
13.0%
Fayetteville +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Fayetteville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 209,692 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 30.7 | Fayetteville + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.6% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 38.3% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 42.3% | Fayetteville + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 13.0% | Fayetteville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Fayetteville
$56,395
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Fayetteville
$31,467
Fayetteville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Fayetteville
18.1%
Fayetteville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
28.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $56,395 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $31,467 | Fayetteville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 18.1% | Fayetteville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 28.6% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Fayetteville
$226,710
Fayetteville +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Fayetteville
46.5%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $226,710 | Fayetteville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 46.5% | Fayetteville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Fayetteville
398
Fayetteville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
1999
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Fayetteville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Fayetteville
12.6%
Fayetteville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Fayetteville
18.8%
Fayetteville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Fayetteville
15.5%
Fayetteville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Fayetteville
14.9%
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 40.4% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.6% | Fayetteville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Fayetteville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.5% | Fayetteville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Fayetteville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
61.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
45.4 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 61.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 45.4 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Fayetteville
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Fayetteville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fayetteville, 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
Fayetteville
20.6 min
Fayetteville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fayetteville, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.6 min | Fayetteville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fayetteville leads in median household income at $56,395, while fayetteville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,710. On public safety, Fayetteville 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, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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