Buffalo NY vs Macon GA — 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%
Macon, GA
Georgia · Population: 61,773
- Median HH Income$70,086
- Median Home Price$171,916
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Macon
61,773
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Macon
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Macon
35.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Macon
18.3%
Macon +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Macon
43.7%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Macon
30.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Macon
2.0%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Macon
19.8%
Macon +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 61,773 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 18.3% | Macon + |
| White | 45.4% | 43.7% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 30.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.0% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 19.8% | Macon + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Macon
$70,086
Macon +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Macon
$43,074
Macon +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Macon
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Macon
3.9%
Macon +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Macon
12.7%
Macon +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Macon
46.8%
Macon +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $70,086 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $43,074 | Macon + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,405 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.9% | Macon + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.7% | Macon + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 46.8% | Macon + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Macon
$171,916
Macon +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Macon
47.2%
Macon +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $171,916 | Macon + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 47.2% | Macon + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Macon
392
Macon +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Macon
1752
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 392 | Macon + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1752 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Macon
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Macon
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Macon
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Macon
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Macon
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Macon
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Macon
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Macon
45.7 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 64.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 45.7 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Macon
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Macon
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Macon
30.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Macon, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Macon leads in median household income at $70,086, while macon offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $171,916. On public safety, Macon is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Macon has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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