Buffalo NY vs St. George 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%
St. George, UT
Utah · Population: 99,184
- Median HH Income$72,870
- Median Home Price$456,900
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
St. George
99,184
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
St. George
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
St. George
37.9
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
St. George
7.4%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
St. George
85.0%
St. George +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
St. George
0.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
St. George
1.2%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
St. George
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
St. George
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 99,184 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.9 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.4% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 85.0% | St. George + |
| Black | 32.9% | 0.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
St. George
$72,870
St. George +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
St. George
$36,254
St. George +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
St. George
$60,713
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
St. George
3.5%
St. George +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
St. George
11.3%
St. George +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
St. George
34.1%
St. George +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $72,870 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $36,254 | St. George + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $60,713 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.5% | St. George + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.3% | St. George + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 34.1% | St. George + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
St. George
$456,900
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
St. George
68.2%
St. George +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $456,900 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 68.2% | St. George + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
St. George
245
St. George +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
St. George
1931
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 245 | St. George + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1931 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
St. George
32.9%
St. George +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
St. George
10.6%
St. George +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
St. George
16.0%
St. George +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
St. George
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
St. George
9.7%
St. George +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
St. George
7.9%
St. George +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 32.9% | St. George + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.6% | St. George + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | St. George + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 9.7% | St. George + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.9% | St. George + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
St. George
63.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
St. George
8.8 in
St. George +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 63.9°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 8.8 in | St. George + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
St. George
7.0 µg/m³
St. George +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
St. George
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | St. George + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
St. George
17.9 min
St. George +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | St. George, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 17.9 min | St. George + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. George leads in median household income at $72,870, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, St. George is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. St. George has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and St. George has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. George scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.
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