Buffalo NY vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Washington
4.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.9 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 45.4% | 39.1% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.6% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $580,173 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 41.1% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Washington
398
Washington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Washington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 24.0% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Washington, DC | 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
Buffalo +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.8 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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