Buffalo, NY vs Charlotte, 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
Charlotte
68.1
#1344 nationally
Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 26). Charlotte leads in median household income ($71,659 vs $42,891). Charlotte leads in school rating (6.5 vs 4.6).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Charlotte, NC |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 68.1 (#1344) |
| Population | 276,807 | 897,720 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $397,231 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $71,659 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 27.1 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 26 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Moderate |
| School Rating | 4.6 | 6.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+32.9 |
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 →
D+
68.1 Score
Charlotte, NC
Banking capital of the South
Median Home
$397,231
Population
897,720
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B-
Southeast
View Charlotte, NC →
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