Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Minneapolis, MN
🏆 Buffalo leads 12 of 23 categories
Buffalo
New York
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
276,688
Minneapolis
Minnesota
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$76,332 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
305⚠ High
Population
426,877 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $197k less ($132,100 vs $328,700)
39% less violent crime than Minneapolis
Rent averages $325/mo less ($942 vs $1,267)
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Minneapolis
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Cons
Median income trails Minneapolis by $30,148/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 5.8%)
Minneapolis, MN
Pros
Households earn $30,148 more per year on average
More college-educated — 53.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.8%)
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $328,700
Violent crime (1160.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (5142.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Buffalo
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Violent Crime
39% lower
706.2 vs 1160.2 per 100k
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$197k less
$132,100 vs $328,700
Minneapolis
Median Income
$30,148
$76,332 vs $46,184/yr
Minneapolis
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.8% vs 7.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper | 104.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $328,700⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,267 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $76,332 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 5.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 22.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 19.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 281⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 305⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High ✓ Safer | 245⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A- (117) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 11.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 53.5% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 90.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Minneapolis Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F ✓ Warmer | 21.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F | 83.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 33.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 40.4" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 | 426,877 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.9 ✓ Older | 32.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 48.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% ✓ More | 19.1% |
| Over 65 | 13.4% ✓ More | 10.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Minneapolis's 104.5 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Buffalo leads 12 of 23 categories. Buffalo wins 12 and Minneapolis wins 11. 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 Minneapolis or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $328,700 median home), income ($46,184 vs $76,332), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Minneapolis, MN are about 730 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.