Buffalo NY vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
7.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.1 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 45.4% | 36.1% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 7.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Philadelphia
22.0%
Philadelphia +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $60,698 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,080 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 8.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 22.0% | Philadelphia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 57.1°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 48.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 34.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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