Buffalo NY vs Plymouth MN — 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%
Plymouth, MN
Minnesota · Population: 79,526
- Median HH Income$133,865
- Median Home Price$514,358
- Unemployment2.0%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Plymouth
79,526
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Plymouth
40.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Plymouth
13.6%
Plymouth +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Plymouth
74.8%
Plymouth +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Plymouth
5.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Plymouth
10.1%
Plymouth +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Plymouth
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 79,526 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 13.6% | Plymouth + |
| White | 45.4% | 74.8% | Plymouth + |
| Black | 32.9% | 5.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 10.1% | Plymouth + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 4.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Plymouth
$133,865
Plymouth +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Plymouth
$69,839
Plymouth +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Plymouth
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Plymouth
2.0%
Plymouth +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Plymouth
4.1%
Plymouth +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Plymouth
64.8%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $133,865 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $69,839 | Plymouth + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,467 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 2.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 4.1% | Plymouth + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 64.8% | Plymouth + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Plymouth
$514,358
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Plymouth
74.7%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $514,358 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 74.7% | Plymouth + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Plymouth
284
Plymouth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Plymouth
1992
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 284 | Plymouth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1992 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Plymouth
24.1%
Plymouth +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Plymouth
7.0%
Plymouth +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Plymouth
12.7%
Plymouth +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Plymouth
5.3%
Plymouth +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Plymouth
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Plymouth
8.5%
Plymouth +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 24.1% | Plymouth + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.0% | Plymouth + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.7% | Plymouth + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.3% | Plymouth + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.5% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.5% | Plymouth + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Plymouth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Plymouth
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Plymouth
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Plymouth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Plymouth
24.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Plymouth, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plymouth leads in median household income at $133,865, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Plymouth is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Plymouth has a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%, and Plymouth has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plymouth scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.1%.
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