Buffalo NY vs Rochester NY — 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Rochester
209,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Rochester
8.3%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 209,720 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 8.3% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 41.5% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Buffalo +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Rochester
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Rochester
26.6%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $46,628 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $30,451 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.9% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 26.6% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 29.9% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Rochester
$241,627
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $241,627 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 37.2% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Rochester
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Rochester
1736
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Rochester
38.0%
Rochester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Rochester
18.8%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Rochester
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 38.0% | Rochester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.3% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.6% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, NY | 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
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo leads in median household income at $48,050, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rochester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.0%.
Compare More Cities
Buffalo, NY vs New York, NYBuffalo, NY vs Los Angeles, CABuffalo, NY vs Chicago, ILBuffalo, NY vs Houston, TXBuffalo, NY vs Phoenix, AZBuffalo, NY vs Philadelphia, PA