Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Goodyear, AZ
🏆 Goodyear leads 16 of 23 categories
Buffalo
New York
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
276,688 ✓ Larger
Goodyear
Arizona
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,307 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
48 ✓ Safer
Population
97,542
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $264k less ($132,100 vs $396,100)
Rent averages $769/mo less ($942 vs $1,711)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 107°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Goodyear
Cons
Median income trails Goodyear by $51,123/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%)
Goodyear, AZ
Pros
Households earn $51,123 more per year on average
74% less violent crime than Buffalo
Violent crime is well below the national average (182.2 vs 380/100k)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.5 pts lower (5.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 32°F
More college-educated — 33.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $396,100
Higher rents — median is $1,711/mo
Longer commutes — 29.7 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 107°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 101.2 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$264k less
$132,100 vs $396,100
Goodyear
Median Income
$51,123
$97,307 vs $46,184/yr
Goodyear
Violent Crime
74% lower
182.2 vs 706.2 per 100k
Goodyear
Unemployment
1.5 pp lower
5.5% vs 7.0% unemployment
Goodyear
Summer Heat
27.2°F warmer
July avg high 107.4°F vs 80.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Goodyear, AZ |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper | 101.2⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $396,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,711⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $97,307 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 29.7 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 16.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | 57 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 70 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 19.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 33.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 92.5% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Incito Schools (91326) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F | 66.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F | 107.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 8.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 0.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 97,542 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 40.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 77.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% | 22.8% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Goodyear's 101.2 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Goodyear leads 16 of 23 categories. Buffalo wins 7 and Goodyear wins 16. 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 Goodyear or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $396,100 median home), income ($46,184 vs $97,307), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Goodyear, AZ are about 1,925 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.