Buffalo NY vs Newark NJ — 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%
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Newark
307,188
Newark +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Newark
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Newark
34.8
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Newark
16.5%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Newark
1.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Newark
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 307,188 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.8 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 34.9% | Newark + |
| White | 45.4% | 16.5% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 46.7% | Newark + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 37.2% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Newark
$48,416
Newark +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Newark
$25,509
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Newark
$77,416
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Newark
10.9%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Newark
24.7%
Newark +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Newark
17.4%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $48,416 | Newark + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $25,509 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,416 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 10.9% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 24.7% | Newark + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 17.4% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Newark
$482,675
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Newark
24.1%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $482,675 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 24.1% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Newark
218
Newark +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Newark
1426
Newark +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 218 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1426 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Newark
35.9%
Newark +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Newark
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Newark
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Newark
23.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Newark
18.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.9% | Newark + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.6% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 23.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.2% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Newark
54.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Newark
46.3 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.9°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 46.3 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Newark
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Newark
35.9 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Newark, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 35.9 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark leads in median household income at $48,416, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Newark scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.9%.
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