Durham vs Buffalo: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Durham, NC and Buffalo, NY, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Durham, NC | Buffalo, NY |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 284,094 | 276,688 |
| Median household income | $74,710 | $46,184 |
| Median home value | $316,600 | $132,100 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,296 | $942 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Durham, NC and Buffalo, NY comes down to what you value most. Buffalo has the lower median home value, and Buffalo has the lower median rent.
Durham has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Durham or Buffalo?
- By median home value, Buffalo is the cheaper of the two ($132,100 vs $316,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Durham or Buffalo?
- Median household income is $74,710 in Durham versus $46,184 in Buffalo, per the US Census Bureau.