Buffalo NY vs Norfolk VA — 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%
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Norfolk
235,037
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Norfolk
7.7%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Norfolk
44.0%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Norfolk
39.8%
Norfolk +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Norfolk
3.7%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Norfolk
9.9%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Norfolk
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 235,037 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.4 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.7% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 44.0% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 39.8% | Norfolk + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.7% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.9% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Norfolk
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Norfolk
6.1%
Norfolk +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Norfolk
17.3%
Norfolk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $64,017 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $37,433 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,581 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.1% | Norfolk + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 17.3% | Norfolk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 32.7% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Norfolk
$310,519
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Norfolk
45.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $310,519 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 45.7% | Norfolk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 240 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1726 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Norfolk
39.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Norfolk
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Norfolk
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Norfolk
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 39.9% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.4% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.4% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.7% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Norfolk
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Norfolk
50.8 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 60.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 50.8 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Norfolk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Norfolk
24.4 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norfolk, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.4 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Norfolk has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, 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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