Buffalo NY vs Yonkers NY — 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Yonkers
209,529
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Yonkers
5.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 209,529 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 45.4% | 38.0% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 17.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Yonkers
$81,816
Yonkers +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Yonkers
$42,770
Yonkers +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Yonkers
$77,425
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Yonkers
14.7%
Yonkers +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Yonkers
35.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $81,816 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $42,770 | Yonkers + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,425 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.7% | Yonkers + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 35.2% | Yonkers + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Yonkers
47.2%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $685,544 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 47.2% | Yonkers + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Yonkers
434
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Yonkers
1736
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 434 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1736 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Yonkers
29.3%
Yonkers +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Yonkers
12.4%
Yonkers +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Yonkers
15.2%
Yonkers +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Yonkers
11.9%
Yonkers +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 29.3% | Yonkers + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.4% | Yonkers + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Yonkers + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | Yonkers + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Yonkers, NY | 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 37.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Yonkers leads in median household income at $81,816, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Yonkers is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Yonkers has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Yonkers scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.3%.
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