Buffalo NY vs Greensboro 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%
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina · Population: 298,564
- Median HH Income$58,884
- Median Home Price$265,214
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+39.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Greensboro
298,564
Greensboro +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Greensboro
34.1
Greensboro +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Greensboro
12.7%
Greensboro +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Greensboro
40.4%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Greensboro
42.2%
Greensboro +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Greensboro
5.0%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Greensboro
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Greensboro
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 298,564 | Greensboro + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.1 | Greensboro + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.7% | Greensboro + |
| White | 45.4% | 40.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 42.2% | Greensboro + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.0% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 10.4% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Greensboro
$58,884
Greensboro +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Greensboro
$35,858
Greensboro +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Greensboro
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Greensboro
5.1%
Greensboro +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Greensboro
18.4%
Greensboro +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Greensboro
39.9%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $58,884 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,858 | Greensboro + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.1% | Greensboro + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 18.4% | Greensboro + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 39.9% | Greensboro + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Greensboro
$265,214
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Greensboro
50.3%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $265,214 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 50.3% | Greensboro + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Greensboro
398
Greensboro +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Greensboro
1999
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Greensboro + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Greensboro
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Greensboro
12.2%
Greensboro +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Greensboro
18.0%
Greensboro +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Greensboro
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Greensboro
13.6%
Greensboro +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Greensboro
13.5%
Greensboro +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 39.1% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.2% | Greensboro + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.0% | Greensboro + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.6% | Greensboro + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.5% | Greensboro + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Greensboro
59.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Greensboro
42.2 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 59.1°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 42.2 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Greensboro
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Greensboro
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Greensboro, 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
Buffalo +
Greensboro
23.4 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Greensboro, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.4 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Greensboro leads in median household income at $58,884, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Greensboro is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Greensboro has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, 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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