Buffalo NY vs Tuscaloosa AL — 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%
Tuscaloosa, AL
Alabama · Population: 107,699
- Median HH Income$48,536
- Median Home Price$231,461
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
107,699
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Tuscaloosa
28.2
Tuscaloosa +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
4.7%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Tuscaloosa
49.6%
Tuscaloosa +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Tuscaloosa
42.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
2.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
5.2%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Tuscaloosa
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 107,699 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.2 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 4.7% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 49.6% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Black | 32.9% | 42.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.2% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Tuscaloosa
$48,536
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Tuscaloosa
$31,324
Tuscaloosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Tuscaloosa
7.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Tuscaloosa
23.8%
Tuscaloosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Tuscaloosa
38.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $48,536 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $31,324 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $51,690 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 23.8% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 38.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Tuscaloosa
$231,461
Tuscaloosa +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Tuscaloosa
45.1%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $231,461 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 45.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Tuscaloosa
400
Tuscaloosa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Tuscaloosa
1734
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 400 | Tuscaloosa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1734 | Tuscaloosa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Tuscaloosa
12.0%
Tuscaloosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Tuscaloosa
15.1%
Tuscaloosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Tuscaloosa
14.7%
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 42.6% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.0% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 21.3% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Tuscaloosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.7% | Tuscaloosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
65.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
55.0 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 65.0°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 55.0 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Tuscaloosa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Tuscaloosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Tuscaloosa
20.0 min
Tuscaloosa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tuscaloosa, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.0 min | Tuscaloosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tuscaloosa leads in median household income at $48,536, while tuscaloosa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $231,461. On public safety, Tuscaloosa is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Tuscaloosa has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, 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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