Buffalo NY vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
New Bedford
57.5%
New Bedford +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 100,731 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 45.4% | 57.5% | New Bedford + |
| Black | 32.9% | 6.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
New Bedford
$56,025
New Bedford +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
New Bedford
19.9%
New Bedford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $56,025 | New Bedford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $30,475 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.6% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.9% | New Bedford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 16.8% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
New Bedford
$439,767
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $439,767 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 40.0% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
New Bedford
36.3%
New Bedford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
New Bedford
13.2%
New Bedford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 36.3% | New Bedford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.2% | New Bedford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 22.0% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.1% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 21.4% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
New Bedford
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 51.9 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
New Bedford leads in median household income at $56,025, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Bedford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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