Buffalo NY vs Lynn MA — 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%
Lynn, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,905
- Median HH Income$74,715
- Median Home Price$584,482
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Lynn
100,905
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Lynn
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Lynn
36.8
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Lynn
35.7%
Lynn +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Lynn
44.6%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Lynn
12.1%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Lynn
6.0%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Lynn
42.5%
Lynn +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 100,905 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.8 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 35.7% | Lynn + |
| White | 45.4% | 44.6% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 12.1% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 6.0% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 42.5% | Lynn + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Lynn
$74,715
Lynn +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Lynn
$35,083
Lynn +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Lynn
$85,405
Lynn +
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Lynn
4.6%
Lynn +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Lynn
13.7%
Lynn +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Lynn
23.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $74,715 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,083 | Lynn + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Lynn + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.6% | Lynn + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 13.7% | Lynn + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 23.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Lynn
$584,482
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Lynn
50.4%
Lynn +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $584,482 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 50.4% | Lynn + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Lynn
326
Lynn +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Lynn
1086
Lynn +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Lynn + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Lynn + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Lynn
33.8%
Lynn +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Lynn
12.3%
Lynn +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Lynn
17.6%
Lynn +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Lynn
11.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Lynn
14.8%
Lynn +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Lynn
14.6%
Lynn +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.8% | Lynn + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.3% | Lynn + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Lynn + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.8% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.8% | Lynn + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.6% | Lynn + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Lynn
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Lynn
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynn, MA | 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
Lynn
7.2 µg/m³
Lynn +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Lynn
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lynn + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Lynn
33.8 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lynn, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.8 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lynn leads in median household income at $74,715, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Lynn is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Lynn has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Lynn has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lynn scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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