Buffalo NY vs Flint 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%
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Flint
80,835
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Flint
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Flint
36.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Flint
2.9%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Flint
34.4%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Flint
0.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Flint
4.5%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Flint
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 80,835 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 2.9% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 34.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 56.6% | Flint + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 0.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 4.5% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Buffalo +
Flint
$36,194
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Flint
$20,799
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Flint
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Flint
17.4%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Buffalo +
Flint
34.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Flint
13.1%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $36,194 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $20,799 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,052 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 17.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 34.4% | Buffalo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 13.1% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $65,949 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 54.9% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Flint
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Flint
1590
Flint +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 471 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1590 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Flint
50.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Flint
19.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Flint
23.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Flint
11.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Flint
25.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 50.5% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 19.3% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 23.5% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.2% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 25.3% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Flint
47.0°F
Flint +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Flint
31.7 in
Flint +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.0°F | Flint + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 31.7 in | Flint + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Flint
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Flint, 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 +
Flint
25.0 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Flint, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.0 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo leads in median household income at $48,050, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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