Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Federal Way, WA
🏆 Federal Way leads 14 of 23 categories
Buffalo
New York
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
276,688 ✓ Larger
Federal Way
Washington
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,614
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $322k less ($132,100 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $718/mo less ($942 vs $1,660)
Commutes run 14 min shorter each way
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal Way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Smaller class sizes — 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Federal Way by $34,176/yr
Violent crime (706.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3809.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 5.5%)
Federal Way, WA
Pros
Households earn $34,176 more per year on average
23% less violent crime than Buffalo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,660/mo
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 19% higher than Buffalo
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Cost of Living
19% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$322k less
$132,100 vs $454,300
Buffalo
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 80.2°F vs 76.8°F
Federal Way
Median Income
$34,176
$80,360 vs $46,184/yr
Federal Way
Violent Crime
23% lower
545.4 vs 706.2 per 100k
Federal Way
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.5% vs 7.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Federal Way, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $454,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,660⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $80,360 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 33.3 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 10.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High ✓ Safer | 208⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (92) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.3:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 30.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 90.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Federal Way School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 40.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 6.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 99,614 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 55.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% | 23.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Federal Way's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Federal Way leads 14 of 23 categories. Buffalo wins 9 and Federal Way wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Buffalo to Federal Way or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $454,300 median home), income ($46,184 vs $80,360), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Federal Way, WA are about 2,114 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.