Buffalo, NY vs Reading, PA
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
Reading
74.9
#536 nationally
Reading leads in walk score (72 vs 66). Buffalo leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 24.3 min). Buffalo leads in median household income ($42,891 vs $42,852).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Reading, PA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 74.9 (#536) |
| Population | 276,807 | 94,903 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $268,328 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $42,852 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 24.3 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 72 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 9.2 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 88 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | R+12.2 |
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
74.9 Score
Reading, PA
Pennsylvania community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$268,328
Population
94,903
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
72
Northeast
View Reading, PA →