Buffalo NY vs Grand Rapids 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%
Grand Rapids, MI
Michigan · Population: 197,768
- Median HH Income$65,526
- Median Home Price$309,801
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+40.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
197,768
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Grand Rapids
32.1
Grand Rapids +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Grand Rapids
11.3%
Grand Rapids +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Grand Rapids
61.0%
Grand Rapids +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
17.9%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
2.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Grand Rapids
16.1%
Grand Rapids +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Grand Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 197,768 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.1 | Grand Rapids + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 11.3% | Grand Rapids + |
| White | 45.4% | 61.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Black | 32.9% | 17.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.1% | Grand Rapids + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Grand Rapids
$65,526
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Grand Rapids
$33,953
Grand Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
$58,052
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Grand Rapids
5.0%
Grand Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Grand Rapids
18.6%
Grand Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Grand Rapids
40.1%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $65,526 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $33,953 | Grand Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,052 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.0% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 18.6% | Grand Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 40.1% | Grand Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
$309,801
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Grand Rapids
54.6%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $309,801 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 54.6% | Grand Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Grand Rapids
1590
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 471 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1590 | Grand Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Grand Rapids
36.4%
Grand Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Grand Rapids
10.4%
Grand Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Grand Rapids
18.9%
Grand Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Grand Rapids
14.0%
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 36.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.4% | Grand Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.9% | Grand Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.0% | Grand Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Grand Rapids
38.3 in
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.1°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 38.3 in | Grand Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Grand Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, 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
Grand Rapids
21.1 min
Grand Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.1 min | Grand Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Rapids leads in median household income at $65,526, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Grand Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.4%.
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