Buffalo NY vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Roswell
65.0%
Roswell +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Roswell
4.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 92,577 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 45.4% | 65.0% | Roswell + |
| Black | 32.9% | 11.1% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Roswell
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Roswell
4.3%
Roswell +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,405 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.3% | Roswell + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $662,209 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Roswell
1752
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1752 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Roswell
17.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.4% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roswell, GA | 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
Buffalo +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roswell, GA | 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 +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 29.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Roswell has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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