Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Tacoma, WA
🏆 Buffalo leads 12 of 22 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 ✓ Larger
Tacoma
Washington
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$79,085 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
280⚠ High
Population
219,234
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $283k less ($132,100 vs $415,300)
Rent averages $547/mo less ($942 vs $1,489)
34% less violent crime than Tacoma
19% cheaper overall cost of living than Tacoma
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Cons
Median income trails Tacoma by $32,901/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 5.4%)
Tacoma, WA
Pros
Households earn $32,901 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $415,300
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Violent crime (1063.0/100k) 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
Violent Crime
34% lower
706.2 vs 1063.0 per 100k
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$283k less
$132,100 vs $415,300
Buffalo
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 80.2°F vs 76.8°F
Tacoma
Median Income
$32,901
$79,085 vs $46,184/yr
Tacoma
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.4% vs 7.0% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, 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 | $415,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $79,085 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High ✓ Safer | 275⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 280⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High ✓ Safer | 267⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 32.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 90.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Tacoma 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" | 40.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 5.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 219,234 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 56.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Tacoma's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 19% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Buffalo leads 12 of 22 categories. Buffalo wins 12 and Tacoma wins 10. 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 Tacoma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $415,300 median home), income ($46,184 vs $79,085), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Tacoma, WA are about 2,121 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.