Buffalo, NY vs Sioux Falls, SD
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
Sioux Falls
75.5
#452 nationally
Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 38). Sioux Falls leads in school rating (7.6 vs 4.6). Sioux Falls leads in median household income ($68,921 vs $42,891).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sioux Falls, SD |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 75.5 (#452) |
| Population | 276,807 | 205,992 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $336,110 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $68,921 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 17.8 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Moderate-Low |
| School Rating | 4.6 | 7.6 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 92 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | R+12.7 |
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
75.5 Score
Sioux Falls, SD
Rising star of the Northern Plains
Median Home
$336,110
Population
205,992
Crime
Moderate-Low
Schools
B+
Midwest
View Sioux Falls, SD →