Buffalo NY vs Salem 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Salem
176,666
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Salem
3.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 176,666 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 45.4% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Salem
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Salem
5.3%
Salem +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,691 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.3% | Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $438,754 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Salem
3001
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3001 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Salem
18.8%
Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Salem
11.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 41.4% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Salem
39.7 in
Salem +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 53.0°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 39.7 in | Salem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salem, 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 +
Salem
24.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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