Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Worcester, MA
🏆 Buffalo leads 12 of 21 categories
Buffalo
New York
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
276,688 ✓ Larger
Worcester
Massachusetts
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,011 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
4 ✓ Safer
Population
204,191
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $174k less ($132,100 vs $305,600)
Rent averages $370/mo less ($942 vs $1,312)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Worcester
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Smaller class sizes — 10.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Worcester by $16,827/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
Snowy winters — about 95" of snow per year
Worcester, MA
Pros
98% less violent crime than Buffalo
Households earn $16,827 more per year on average
Violent crime is well below the national average (16.5 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 33.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $305,600
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Buffalo
Snowy winters — about 73" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$174k less
$132,100 vs $305,600
Worcester
Median Income
$16,827
$63,011 vs $46,184/yr
Worcester
Violent Crime
98% lower
16.5 vs 706.2 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Worcester, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper | 103.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $305,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,312 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $63,011 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 24.4 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 9.9% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | — |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High | 4 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | — |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | B+ (106) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 33.1% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% ✓ Higher | 85.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Worcester |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F | 32.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F ✓ Warmer | 79.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" ✓ Drier | 48.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 72.9" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 204,191 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 34.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% ✓ Higher | 42.1% |
| Under 18 | 22.3% ✓ More | 19.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.4% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Worcester's 103.8 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 21 decided categories above, Buffalo leads 12 of 21 categories. Buffalo wins 12 and Worcester wins 9. 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 Worcester or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $305,600 median home), income ($46,184 vs $63,011), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Worcester, MA are about 361 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.