Buffalo, NY vs Dayton, OH
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
Dayton
76
#394 nationally
Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 40). Dayton leads in cost of living index (78 vs 88). Buffalo leads in median household income ($42,891 vs $38,924).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Dayton, OH |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 76 (#394) |
| Population | 276,807 | 137,644 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $138,730 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $38,924 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 21.8 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 40 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | High |
| School Rating | 4.6 | 4.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 78 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | Even |
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
76 Score
Dayton, OH
Birthplace of Aviation
Median Home
$138,730
Population
137,644
Crime
High
Schools
C-
Midwest
View Dayton, OH →