Buffalo, NY vs Lansing, 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
Lansing
78.3
#185 nationally
Lansing leads in median household income ($68,766 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 31.1 min). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 48).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lansing, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 78.3 (#185) |
| Population | 276,807 | 27,713 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $201,273 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $68,766 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 31.1 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 10.7 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 95 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+42.0 |
C
74.2 Score
Buffalo, NY
Queen City rising
Median Home
$249,040
Population
276,807
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
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C+
78.3 Score
Lansing, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$201,273
Population
27,713
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
48
Midwest
View Lansing, IL →