Buffalo NY vs Jacksonville FL — 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Jacksonville
51.2%
Jacksonville +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
30.1%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
4.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
12.0%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.4 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 45.4% | 51.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Black | 32.9% | 30.1% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.0% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Jacksonville
$37,269
Jacksonville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Jacksonville
31.9%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $66,981 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $37,269 | Jacksonville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.6% | Jacksonville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 31.9% | Jacksonville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
$286,396
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $286,396 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Jacksonville
13.2%
Jacksonville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Jacksonville
18.8%
Jacksonville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Jacksonville
14.8%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.8% | Jacksonville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Jacksonville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.8% | Jacksonville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
50.0 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 70.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 50.0 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.0 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.
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