Buffalo NY vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Wilmington
250,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 250,887 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.6 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 45.4% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 32.9% | 32.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.3% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Wilmington
$57,673
Wilmington +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Wilmington
$35,074
Wilmington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $57,673 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,074 | Wilmington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $419,326 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Wilmington
398
Wilmington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | Wilmington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.5% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 63.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 58.4 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wilmington leads in median household income at $57,673, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Wilmington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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