Buffalo NY vs Milwaukee WI — 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%
Milwaukee, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 569,756
- Median HH Income$51,888
- Median Home Price$226,456
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+26.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Milwaukee
569,756
Milwaukee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Milwaukee
32.2
Milwaukee +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Milwaukee
10.8%
Milwaukee +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
36.5%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Milwaukee
38.6%
Milwaukee +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
4.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Milwaukee
20.7%
Milwaukee +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Milwaukee
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 569,756 | Milwaukee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.2 | Milwaukee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 10.8% | Milwaukee + |
| White | 45.4% | 36.5% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 38.6% | Milwaukee + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 20.7% | Milwaukee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Milwaukee
$51,888
Milwaukee +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
$29,679
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
$61,837
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Milwaukee
5.9%
Milwaukee +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Milwaukee
23.3%
Milwaukee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
26.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $51,888 | Milwaukee + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $29,679 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,837 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.9% | Milwaukee + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 23.3% | Milwaukee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 26.6% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Milwaukee
$226,456
Milwaukee +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
41.5%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $226,456 | Milwaukee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 41.5% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Milwaukee
309
Milwaukee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Milwaukee
1392
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 309 | Milwaukee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1392 | Milwaukee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
41.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
14.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Milwaukee
19.1%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Milwaukee
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
17.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 41.8% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.7% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.1% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.1% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.3% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Milwaukee
47.5°F
Milwaukee +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Milwaukee
35.5 in
Milwaukee +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.5°F | Milwaukee + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 35.5 in | Milwaukee + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Milwaukee
24.1 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Milwaukee, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.1 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Milwaukee leads in median household income at $51,888, while milwaukee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $226,456. On public safety, Milwaukee is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Milwaukee has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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