Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Longmont, CO
🏆 Longmont 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
Longmont
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$89,720 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
98,282
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $356k less ($132,100 vs $488,100)
Rent averages $747/mo less ($942 vs $1,689)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Longmont
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 91°F
Cons
Median income trails Longmont by $43,536/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 4.1%)
Longmont, CO
Pros
Households earn $43,536 more per year on average
34% less violent crime than Buffalo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (4.1%)
More college-educated — 46.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $488,100
Higher rents — median is $1,689/mo
Violent crime (469.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2618.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 103.4 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$356k less
$132,100 vs $488,100
Longmont
Median Income
$43,536
$89,720 vs $46,184/yr
Longmont
Violent Crime
34% lower
469.3 vs 706.2 per 100k
Longmont
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
4.1% vs 7.0% unemployment
Longmont
Summer Heat
10.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.8°F vs 80.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Longmont, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper | 103.4⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $488,100⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,689⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $89,720 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 17.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (109) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.2:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 46.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 92.4% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | St. Vrain Valley School District No. Re1J |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F | 44.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F | 90.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 16.1" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 47.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 98,282 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 39.7 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 63.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% ✓ More | 20.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 17.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Longmont's 103.4 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Longmont leads 16 of 23 categories. Buffalo wins 7 and Longmont 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 Longmont or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $488,100 median home), income ($46,184 vs $89,720), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Longmont, CO are about 1,365 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.