Buffalo NY vs Pittsburgh 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%
Pittsburgh, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 303,620
- Median HH Income$64,137
- Median Home Price$240,538
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+47.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Pittsburgh
303,620
Pittsburgh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Pittsburgh
33.5
Pittsburgh +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Pittsburgh
9.3%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Pittsburgh
63.7%
Pittsburgh +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Pittsburgh
22.5%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Pittsburgh
5.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Pittsburgh
4.2%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 303,620 | Pittsburgh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Pittsburgh + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 9.3% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 63.7% | Pittsburgh + |
| Black | 32.9% | 22.5% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 4.2% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Pittsburgh
$64,137
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Pittsburgh
$43,590
Pittsburgh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Pittsburgh
$65,080
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Pittsburgh
5.9%
Pittsburgh +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Pittsburgh
19.5%
Pittsburgh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Pittsburgh
47.8%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $64,137 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $43,590 | Pittsburgh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,080 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.9% | Pittsburgh + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.5% | Pittsburgh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 47.8% | Pittsburgh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Pittsburgh
$240,538
Pittsburgh +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Pittsburgh
47.2%
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $240,538 | Pittsburgh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 47.2% | Pittsburgh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Pittsburgh
319
Pittsburgh +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Pittsburgh
1613
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 319 | Pittsburgh + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1613 | Pittsburgh + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Pittsburgh
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Pittsburgh
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Pittsburgh
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
51.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Pittsburgh
39.3 in
Pittsburgh +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 39.3 in | Pittsburgh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Pittsburgh
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Pittsburgh
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, 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 +
Pittsburgh
25.0 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pittsburgh, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.0 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pittsburgh leads in median household income at $64,137, while pittsburgh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $240,538. On public safety, Pittsburgh is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Pittsburgh has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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