Buffalo NY vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
South Bend
8.9%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 102,866 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 8.9% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 32.9% | 24.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.7% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
South Bend
$52,512
South Bend +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
South Bend
$58,697
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
South Bend
6.0%
South Bend +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
South Bend
22.6%
South Bend +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
South Bend
29.4%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $52,512 | South Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $29,511 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,697 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.0% | South Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 22.6% | South Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 29.4% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
South Bend
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 39.7% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 15.2% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.3% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.2% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
South Bend
38.0 in
South Bend +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 38.0 in | South Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
South Bend
21.6 min
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.6 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
South Bend leads in median household income at $52,512, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. South Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, 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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