Buffalo NY vs Manchester NH — 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%
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Manchester
115,415
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Manchester
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Manchester
37.9
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Manchester
5.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Manchester
4.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Manchester
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 115,415 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.9 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 14.8% | Manchester + |
| White | 45.4% | 76.7% | Manchester + |
| Black | 32.9% | 5.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 13.5% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Manchester
$75,331
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $77,415 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $44,220 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $75,331 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.8% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 10.7% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 33.5% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Manchester
$441,257
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $441,257 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 49.3% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Manchester
134
Manchester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 134 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1048 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Manchester
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Manchester
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.0% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.4% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.9% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Manchester
49.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Manchester
44.6 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 44.6 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Manchester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Manchester
25.7 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Manchester, NH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.7 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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