Buffalo NY vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Stamford
135,806
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Stamford
7.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 135,806 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 45.4% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 32.9% | 19.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 7.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Stamford
4.9%
Stamford +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.9% | Stamford + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Stamford
47.5%
Stamford +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $708,498 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 47.5% | Stamford + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Stamford
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Stamford
16.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.3% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.4% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 52.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 53.2 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.1 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Stamford has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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