City Comparison
Powell vs Buffalo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Powell scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Powell
Buffalo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Powell is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Buffalo.
| Metric | Powell | Buffalo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $1,046 | -9% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $1,830 | $2,046 | -11% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buffalo offers 31% 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 Powell is estimated at
$45,000 vs $40,764 in Buffalo.
| Metric | Powell | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $40,764 |
| Purchasing Power | 56,522 idx | 78,947 idx |
| Household Income | $58,500 | $50,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 2.6°F of each other.
For sunshine, Powell comes out ahead with 70 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buffalo sees 10.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Powell | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.90°F | 49.50°F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 12.10°F | 20.20°F |
| Rainfall | 14.00 in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | 33.20 in | 43.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 294 | 224 |
| Humidity | 50.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Powell has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Buffalo.
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 | Powell | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 14 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buffalo is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Powell is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Powell has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Powell | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,489 | 274,006 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 5.70% |
| GDP | — | $109.5B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Powell
Advantages
Violent and property crime rates are significantly lower than the U.S. national average per FBI crime data.
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain below the national average per US Census Bureau metrics.
Proximity to Yellowstone National Forest provides world-class outdoor recreation including hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Strong local educational framework anchored by Northwest College and dedicated public school districts.
Welcoming small-town community atmosphere with active local events and low traffic congestion.
Drawbacks
Limited local public transit options necessitate high car dependency for daily needs.
Geographic isolation means specialized shopping, major airports, and advanced medical centers require driving to larger cities.
Winter weather brings harsh freezing temperatures and occasional heavy snowfall that can impact travel.
Limited high-paying corporate job sectors within city limits compared to larger metropolitan economies.
Housing inventory can occasionally be constrained for prospective buyers and renters.
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.
Powell
#90Wyoming, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
14 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
294/yr
Avg Temp
46.90°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
78
Business
67
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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