Buffalo NY vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Orem
10.5%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 86,973 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Orem
$33,579
Orem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Orem
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $33,579 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $60,713 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 25.6% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $509,396 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Orem
1931
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1931 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 52.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Orem
24.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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