Buffalo, NY vs South Bend, IN
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
South Bend
74.2
#628 nationally
Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 42). South Bend leads in median household income ($49,056 vs $42,891). South Bend leads in average commute (20.4 min vs 22.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | South Bend, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 74.2 (#628) |
| Population | 276,807 | 103,395 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $202,170 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $49,056 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 20.4 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 26.4 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 84 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+1.5 |
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
74.2 Score
South Bend, IN
Mid-size Indiana city with community character
Median Home
$202,170
Population
103,395
Crime
Very High
Walk Score
42
Midwest
View South Bend, IN →
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