Buffalo NY vs Fort Wayne 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%
Fort Wayne, IN
Indiana · Population: 266,235
- Median HH Income$60,293
- Median Home Price$245,993
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
266,235
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
35.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
9.0%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Fort Wayne
66.4%
Fort Wayne +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
14.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
5.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Fort Wayne
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 266,235 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 9.0% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 66.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| Black | 32.9% | 14.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Fort Wayne
$60,293
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Fort Wayne
$32,884
Fort Wayne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Fort Wayne
5.5%
Fort Wayne +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Fort Wayne
15.6%
Fort Wayne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
28.5%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $60,293 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $32,884 | Fort Wayne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.5% | Fort Wayne + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.6% | Fort Wayne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 28.5% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
$245,993
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Fort Wayne
62.2%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $245,993 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 62.2% | Fort Wayne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Fort Wayne
370
Fort Wayne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Fort Wayne
1719
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | Fort Wayne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | Fort Wayne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
40.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Fort Wayne
18.4%
Fort Wayne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Fort Wayne
15.8%
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 40.7% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.8% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Fort Wayne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.8% | Fort Wayne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
50.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Fort Wayne
38.3 in
Fort Wayne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 50.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 38.3 in | Fort Wayne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fort Wayne, 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
Buffalo +
Fort Wayne
22.8 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fort Wayne, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.8 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fort Wayne leads in median household income at $60,293, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Fort Wayne is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Fort Wayne has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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