Buffalo NY vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Syracuse
146,211
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
6.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 146,211 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 45.4% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 32.9% | 27.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 6.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 10.3% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Buffalo +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Syracuse
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $45,845 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $27,570 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 29.6% | Buffalo + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 41.3% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Syracuse
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Syracuse
1736
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Syracuse
16.1%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 41.5% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.8% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Syracuse + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.0°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 41.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo leads in median household income at $48,050, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, Syracuse is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Syracuse 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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