Buffalo, NY vs Cary, NC
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Buffalo
74.2
#613 nationally
Cary
72.1
#924 nationally
Cary leads in median household income ($125,317 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 28). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 125).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cary, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 72.1 (#924) |
| Population | 276,807 | 180,010 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $628,913 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $125,317 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 22.8 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 1.9 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 125 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+25.6 |
C
74.2 Score
Buffalo, NY
Queen City rising
Median Home
$249,040
Population
276,807
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
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C-
72.1 Score
Cary, NC
Mid-size North Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$628,913
Population
180,010
Crime
Low
Walk Score
28
Southeast
View Cary, NC →