Buffalo NY vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Worcester
205,501
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Worcester
6.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 205,501 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 45.4% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 32.9% | 12.1% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 6.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Worcester
19.8%
Worcester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.8% | Worcester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $435,532 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 42.4% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.1% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Worcester
47.9°F
Worcester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 47.9°F | Worcester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 48.1 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.3 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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