City Comparison
Yonkers vs Buffalo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Buffalo scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Yonkers
Buffalo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Buffalo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
36% lower than in Yonkers.
Housing costs are a major driver: Yonkers's average rent is
106% higher than Buffalo's.
| Metric | Yonkers | Buffalo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,150 | $1,046 | +106% |
| Groceries | $460 | $450 | +2% |
| Utilities | $195 | $180 | +8% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $270 | $250 | +8% |
| Monthly Total | $3,205 | $2,046 | +57% |
| Cost Index | 128 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buffalo offers 1% 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 Yonkers is estimated at
$68,000 vs $40,764 in Buffalo.
| Metric | Yonkers | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $68,000 | $40,764 |
| Purchasing Power | 57,813 idx | 78,947 idx |
| Household Income | $82,500 | $50,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Yonkers comes out ahead with 21 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buffalo sees 23.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Yonkers | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.00°F | 49.50°F |
| Summer High | 84.30°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 24.20°F | 20.20°F |
| Rainfall | 41.00 in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | 20.50 in | 43.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 245 | 224 |
| Humidity | 66.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Buffalo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
7,000 minutes (117 hours) per year compared to Yonkers.
Yonkers scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Yonkers leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Yonkers | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 34 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 65.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 68.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buffalo is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Yonkers.
From a growth perspective, Yonkers is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Yonkers has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Yonkers | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 208,535 | 274,006 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 5.70% |
| GDP | — | $109.5B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Yonkers
Advantages
Rapid 30-minute Metro-North train commute from Yonkers station to Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal.
Vibrant waterfront redevelopment featuring luxury housing, dining, and scenic Hudson River views.
Home to historic cultural attractions like the stunning Untermyer Gardens Conservancy.
Expanding economic footprint driven by major media investments, including Lionsgate Studios Yonkers.
More accessible housing and rental prices compared to adjacent New York City boroughs.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and property tax burdens remain notably higher than the U.S. national average.
Traffic congestion along major regional parkways and highways during peak commuting hours.
Significant disparities in neighborhood safety and infrastructure maintenance across different city sectors.
Older housing stock in certain areas may require costly maintenance and energy-efficiency upgrades.
Winter weather brings heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures requiring active municipal snow removal.
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]
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Yonkers
#548New York, USA
48.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,150
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
128
Commute
34 min
Transit Score
65.0/100
Walkability
68.0/100
Sunny Days
245/yr
Avg Temp
54.00°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
75
Business
70
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
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