City Comparison
Gillette vs Buffalo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Gillette scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Gillette
Buffalo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Gillette | Buffalo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,046 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,046 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buffalo offers 13% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Gillette | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $40,764 |
| Household Income | $81,316 | $50,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.2°F of each other.
For sunshine, Gillette comes out ahead with 55 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buffalo sees 5.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Gillette | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 47.30°F | 49.50°F |
| Summer High | 79.60°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 15.60°F | 20.20°F |
| Rainfall | 17.70 in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | 38.60 in | 43.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 279 | 224 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 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 | Gillette | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | — | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 22.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buffalo is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Gillette.
From a growth perspective, Gillette is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Gillette has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Gillette | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 33,431 | 274,006 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | — |
| Median Age | 34.0 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 2.50% | 5.70% |
| GDP | — | $109.5B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Gillette
Advantages
Affordable housing compared to national averages, with a median home value of $264,500 in 2024.
Strong job market driven by the energy sector, with major employers like Peabody Energy and Arch Coal.
Abundant outdoor recreational opportunities in the surrounding natural landscapes.
Close-knit community with a friendly atmosphere and strong community spirit.
Lower cost of living and lower violent crime rate compared to national averages.
Drawbacks
Economy heavily reliant on the volatile energy sector, subject to boom-and-bust cycles.
Limited public transportation options, with a car-dependent culture.
Harsh winter weather conditions.
Fewer cultural and entertainment amenities compared to larger cities.
Crime rate is higher than 92% of Wyoming's cities and towns.
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.
Gillette
#14Wyoming, USA
74.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
22.0/100
Sunny Days
279/yr
Avg Temp
47.30°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
2.50%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Gillette and Buffalo.
Open Cost Calculator