Buffalo NY vs Montgomery AL — 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%
Montgomery, AL
Alabama · Population: 198,440
- Median HH Income$55,687
- Median Home Price$151,721
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Montgomery
198,440
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Montgomery
36.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Montgomery
5.5%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Montgomery
27.7%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Montgomery
63.0%
Montgomery +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Montgomery
3.3%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Montgomery
4.8%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Montgomery
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 198,440 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 5.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 27.7% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 63.0% | Montgomery + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.3% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 4.8% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Montgomery
$55,687
Montgomery +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Montgomery
$32,068
Montgomery +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Montgomery
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Montgomery
6.5%
Montgomery +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Montgomery
20.9%
Montgomery +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Montgomery
33.5%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $55,687 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $32,068 | Montgomery + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $51,690 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.5% | Montgomery + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 20.9% | Montgomery + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 33.5% | Montgomery + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Montgomery
$151,721
Montgomery +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Montgomery
54.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $151,721 | Montgomery + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 54.3% | Montgomery + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Montgomery
400
Montgomery +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Montgomery
1734
Montgomery +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 400 | Montgomery + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1734 | Montgomery + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Montgomery
46.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Montgomery
16.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Montgomery
17.6%
Montgomery +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Montgomery
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Montgomery
12.4%
Montgomery +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Montgomery
15.3%
Montgomery +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 46.4% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.7% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Montgomery + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.0% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.4% | Montgomery + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.3% | Montgomery + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Montgomery
64.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Montgomery
52.8 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 64.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 52.8 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Montgomery
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Montgomery
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Montgomery
22.0 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Montgomery, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.0 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Montgomery leads in median household income at $55,687, while montgomery offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $151,721. On public safety, Montgomery is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Montgomery has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, 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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