Buffalo, NY vs Melrose Park, 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
Melrose Park
73.7
#688 nationally
Melrose Park leads in median household income ($64,400 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 26.8 min). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 102).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Melrose Park, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 73.7 (#688) |
| Population | 276,807 | 23,666 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $326,590 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $64,400 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 26.8 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 68 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 8.3 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 102 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+42.0 |
C
74.2 Score
Buffalo, NY
Queen City rising
Median Home
$249,040
Population
276,807
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Buffalo, NY →
C
73.7 Score
Melrose Park, IL
Small Illinois city with local appeal
Median Home
$326,590
Population
23,666
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Midwest
View Melrose Park, IL →
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