Buffalo, NY vs Chapel Hill, 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

vs

Chapel Hill

68.6

#1303 nationally

Chapel Hill leads in median household income ($85,940 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 34). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 133).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Buffalo, NY Chapel Hill, NC
WhereAtHome Score 74.2 (#613) 68.6 (#1303)
Population 276,807 62,043
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $249,040 $636,021
Median Household Income $42,891 $85,940
Average Commute 22.4 min 19.6 min
Walk Score 66 34
Crime Level Moderate-High 4.7
School Rating 4.6 N/A
Cost of Living Index 88 133
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+9.7 D+51.1