Buffalo NY vs High Point 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%
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
High Point
115,263
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
High Point
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
High Point
37.8
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
High Point
32.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
High Point
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
High Point
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 115,263 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.8 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 14.2% | High Point + |
| White | 45.4% | 46.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.9% | 32.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 8.2% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.3% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
High Point
$61,228
High Point +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
High Point
$34,492
High Point +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
High Point
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
High Point
5.6%
High Point +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $61,228 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $34,492 | High Point + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.6% | High Point + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.7% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 33.9% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
High Point
$251,699
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $251,699 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 58.1% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
High Point
398
High Point +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
High Point
1999
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | High Point + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
High Point
37.7%
High Point +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
High Point
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 37.7% | High Point + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.5% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.2% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
High Point
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
High Point
46.1 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 60.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 46.1 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
High Point
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | High Point, 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 +
High Point
22.7 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | High Point, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.7 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
High Point leads in median household income at $61,228, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, High Point is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. High Point has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, High Point scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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