Buffalo NY vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hartford
2.3%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 119,970 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 45.4% | 26.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.3% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Buffalo +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Hartford
25.5%
Hartford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $45,300 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $27,319 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 10.6% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 25.5% | Hartford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 18.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 25.8% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Hartford
16.3%
Hartford +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 40.4% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.8% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.8% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 20.3% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Hartford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Hartford
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Hartford
45.9 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 50.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 45.9 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Hartford
24.4 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.4 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo leads in median household income at $48,050, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
Compare More Cities
Buffalo, NY vs New York, NYBuffalo, NY vs Los Angeles, CABuffalo, NY vs Chicago, ILBuffalo, NY vs Houston, TXBuffalo, NY vs Phoenix, AZBuffalo, NY vs Philadelphia, PA