Buffalo, NY vs Elmhurst, IL
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Buffalo
74.2
#613 nationally
Elmhurst
73.4
#734 nationally
Elmhurst leads in median household income ($143,492 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 135). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 48).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Elmhurst, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 73.4 (#734) |
| Population | 276,807 | 45,336 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $647,169 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $143,492 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 27.8 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 1.6 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 135 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+13.3 |
C
74.2 Score
Buffalo, NY
Queen City rising
Median Home
$249,040
Population
276,807
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
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C
73.4 Score
Elmhurst, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$647,169
Population
45,336
Crime
Low
Walk Score
48
Midwest
View Elmhurst, IL →