Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Rochester, MN
🏆 Rochester leads 18 of 22 categories
Buffalo
New York
4
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
276,688 ✓ Larger
Rochester
Minnesota
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
93.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$83,973 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
41 ✓ Safer
Population
120,848
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $137k less ($132,100 vs $268,800)
Rent averages $276/mo less ($942 vs $1,218)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Milder winters — January highs near 32°F vs 23°F
Cons
Median income trails Rochester by $37,789/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 3.7%)
Rochester, MN
Pros
Households earn $37,789 more per year on average
78% less violent crime than Buffalo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (154.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 49.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Living costs sit below the national average (index 93.1)
Cons
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$137k less
$132,100 vs $268,800
Rochester
Cost of Living
1% cheaper
COL index 93.1 vs 94.4 (100 = US avg)
Rochester
Median Income
$37,789
$83,973 vs $46,184/yr
Rochester
Violent Crime
78% lower
154.0 vs 706.2 per 100k
Rochester
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
3.7% vs 7.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Rochester, MN |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 | 93.1 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $268,800 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,218 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $83,973 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 3.7% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min | 17.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 10.6% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High | 41 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A- (116) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 | — |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 49.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 94.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Rochester Public School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F ✓ Warmer | 22.5°F |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F | 80.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 37.0" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 52.3" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 120,848 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 36.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 65.5% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% | 23.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 15.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Rochester's 93.1 (US average = 100).
Rochester is 1% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Rochester leads 18 of 22 categories. Buffalo wins 4 and Rochester wins 18. 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 Rochester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $268,800 median home), income ($46,184 vs $83,973), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Rochester, MN are about 687 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.