Buffalo NY vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Salt Lake City
203,888
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 203,888 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 45.4% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.3% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $60,713 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Salt Lake City
46.8%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $580,126 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 46.8% | Salt Lake City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Salt Lake City
1931
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1931 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Salt Lake City
18.2%
Salt Lake City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.2% | Salt Lake City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.3% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 52.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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