Buffalo NY vs Jersey City NJ — 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Jersey City
34.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Jersey City
21.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 45.4% | 28.7% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 21.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Jersey City
$57,746
Jersey City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Jersey City
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Jersey City
5.8%
Jersey City +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Jersey City
15.6%
Jersey City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Jersey City
53.1%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $57,746 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,416 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.8% | Jersey City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.6% | Jersey City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 53.1% | Jersey City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $664,939 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 28.8% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Jersey City
9.6%
Jersey City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Jersey City
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Jersey City
10.3%
Jersey City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.6% | Jersey City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.0% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.3% | Jersey City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jersey City, NJ | 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 +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 40.3 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Jersey City is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Jersey City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.8%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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