Buffalo, NY vs Champaign, IL
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
Champaign
77.8
#214 nationally
Champaign leads in average commute (14.8 min vs 22.4 min). Champaign leads in median household income ($58,273 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 52).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Champaign, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 77.8 (#214) |
| Population | 276,807 | 89,189 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $240,516 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $58,273 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 14.8 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 52 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 13.7 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 98 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+24.1 |
C
74.2 Score
Buffalo, NY
Queen City rising
Median Home
$249,040
Population
276,807
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Buffalo, NY →
C+
77.8 Score
Champaign, IL
Illinois community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$240,516
Population
89,189
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
52
Midwest
View Champaign, IL →
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