Buffalo NY vs Miami FL — 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%
Miami, FL
Florida · Population: 446,663
- Median HH Income$59,390
- Median Home Price$580,996
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Miami
446,663
Miami +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Miami
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Miami
39.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Miami
57.7%
Miami +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Miami
34.2%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Miami
13.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Miami
1.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Miami
71.2%
Miami +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Miami
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 446,663 | Miami + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 57.7% | Miami + |
| White | 45.4% | 34.2% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 13.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 71.2% | Miami + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Miami
$59,390
Miami +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Miami
$42,528
Miami +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Miami
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Miami
5.0%
Miami +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Miami
19.2%
Miami +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Miami
35.6%
Miami +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $59,390 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $42,528 | Miami + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.0% | Miami + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.2% | Miami + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 35.6% | Miami + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Miami
$580,996
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Miami
30.7%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $580,996 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 30.7% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Miami
324
Miami +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Miami
1453
Miami +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Miami + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Miami + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Miami
29.9%
Miami +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Miami
15.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Miami
15.0%
Miami +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Miami
27.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Miami
15.3%
Miami +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Miami
12.3%
Miami +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 29.9% | Miami + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.5% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.0% | Miami + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 27.2% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Miami + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.3% | Miami + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Miami
75.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Miami
64.1 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 75.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 64.1 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Miami
7.2 µg/m³
Miami +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Miami
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Miami + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Miami
29.9 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Miami, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 29.9 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami leads in median household income at $59,390, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Miami is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Miami has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Miami has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.9%.
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