City Comparison
Buffalo vs Cincinnati
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buffalo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Buffalo
Cincinnati
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Buffalo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in Cincinnati.
Housing costs are a major driver: Buffalo's average rent is
26% lower than Cincinnati's.
| Metric | Buffalo | Cincinnati | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,046 | $1,410 | -26% |
| Groceries | $450 | $493 | -9% |
| Utilities | $180 | $178 | +1% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,046 | $2,451 | -17% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Cincinnati offers 5% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Buffalo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Buffalo is estimated at
$40,764 vs $55,000 in Cincinnati.
| Metric | Buffalo | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,000 | $79,000 |
| Salary Needed | $40,764 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 78,947 idx | 76,699 idx |
| Household Income | $50,041 | $52,909 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buffalo runs warmer on average — a 49.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buffalo comes out ahead with 224 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buffalo sees 43.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Buffalo | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 49.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 43.90 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 224 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 70.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Buffalo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Buffalo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Buffalo | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 22 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Walkability | 60.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 50.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Cincinnati is the larger city
— approximately 0.9x the population of Buffalo.
From a growth perspective, Cincinnati is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Cincinnati has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Buffalo | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 274,006 | 314,915 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.70% |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.2 |
| Unemployment | 5.70% | 3.20% |
| GDP | $109.5B | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Buffalo
Advantages
The cost of living in Buffalo is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [19]
Buffalo has a shorter average commute time (19.9 minutes) compared to the national average. [3]
The city is experiencing significant investment and redevelopment in various neighborhoods, including downtown. [11, 24]
Buffalo has a diverse and growing economy with strong sectors in healthcare and education. [3, 24]
The city offers a rich cultural scene with numerous museums, performing arts venues, and annual festivals. [11]
Drawbacks
Buffalo's unemployment rate in July 2026 was 5.70%, higher than the national average. [31]
The poverty rate in Buffalo is 26%, which is higher than the national average. [3]
Despite downtown growth, a lack of amenities like grocery stores and infrequent weekend public transit can be a drawback. [18]
Job losses were observed in some sectors like manufacturing and financial activities in Western New York in August 2026. [22]
Buffalo Public Schools score below the New York state average in mathematics and English Language Arts proficiency. [23]
Cincinnati
Advantages
The cost of living in Cincinnati is 3% lower than the national average, making it more affordable than many major U.S. cities.
Cincinnati boasts a diverse and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services.
The city offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, including museums, theaters, and a symphony orchestra.
Several neighborhoods, such as Over-The-Rhine and the Central Business District, are highly walkable, with Walk Scores of 94 and 92 respectively.
The median property value in Cincinnati was $230,900 in 2024, significantly lower than the national average, making homeownership more accessible.
Drawbacks
While some areas are highly walkable, the city's overall Walk Score of 49 indicates a car-dependent environment for most errands.
Public transportation, while available, is not considered the most dependable, often necessitating a personal vehicle.
The city's poverty rate was 25.5% in 2024, which is higher than the national average.
Cincinnati experiences extreme seasonal variations in humidity, with muggy summers and very cold, snowy winters.
The average commute time in the Cincinnati metropolitan area was 2 hours daily in 2023, which is relatively long compared to some other cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Buffalo
#342New York, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,046
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
224/yr
Avg Temp
49.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
Cincinnati
#501Ohio, USA
52.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,410
Avg Salary
$79,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
40.0/100
Walkability
49.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.70%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
70
Business
72
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