Buffalo, NY vs Grand Rapids, MI
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
Grand Rapids
73.4
#738 nationally
Grand Rapids leads in school rating (6.8 vs 4.6). Grand Rapids leads in median household income ($54,789 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 52).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Grand Rapids, MI |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 73.4 (#738) |
| Population | 276,807 | 201,013 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $311,699 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $54,789 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 21.2 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 52 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Moderate |
| School Rating | 4.6 | 6.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 91 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+5.4 |
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
73.4 Score
Grand Rapids, MI
Beer City USA with West Michigan charm
Median Home
$311,699
Population
201,013
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Midwest
View Grand Rapids, MI →
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