Buffalo NY vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Portland
8.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.6 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 45.4% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 32.9% | 5.8% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 8.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.3% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Portland
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Portland
5.5%
Portland +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,691 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.5% | Portland + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $538,687 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3001 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Portland
17.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.7% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 78.3 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Portland has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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