Buffalo NY vs Lynchburg VA — 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%
Lynchburg, VA
Virginia · Population: 79,255
- Median HH Income$59,808
- Median Home Price$264,994
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+38.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
79,255
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Lynchburg
28.4
Lynchburg +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
4.6%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Lynchburg
62.2%
Lynchburg +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
27.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
2.2%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
5.0%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Lynchburg
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 79,255 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.4 | Lynchburg + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 4.6% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 62.2% | Lynchburg + |
| Black | 32.9% | 27.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.0% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Lynchburg
$59,808
Lynchburg +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
$30,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Lynchburg
5.0%
Lynchburg +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Lynchburg
17.4%
Lynchburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Lynchburg
38.5%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $59,808 | Lynchburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $30,004 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.0% | Lynchburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 17.4% | Lynchburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 38.5% | Lynchburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
$264,994
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Lynchburg
49.1%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $264,994 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 49.1% | Lynchburg + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Lynchburg
240
Lynchburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Lynchburg
1726
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Lynchburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Lynchburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Lynchburg
37.1%
Lynchburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Lynchburg
11.9%
Lynchburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Lynchburg
9.1%
Lynchburg +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Lynchburg
14.8%
Lynchburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Lynchburg
12.9%
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 37.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.9% | Lynchburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.1% | Lynchburg + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.8% | Lynchburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.9% | Lynchburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
54.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
41.5 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 41.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Lynchburg
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Lynchburg
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Lynchburg
18.5 min
Lynchburg +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynchburg, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 18.5 min | Lynchburg + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynchburg leads in median household income at $59,808, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Lynchburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Lynchburg has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynchburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
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