Buffalo NY vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
199,696
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
4.0%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 199,696 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 8.0% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 32.9% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.0% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.6% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $293,664 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 39.5% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.3% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.7% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 67.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 58.1 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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