Buffalo, NY vs Springfield, 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
Springfield
79.7
#112 nationally
Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 38). Springfield leads in median household income ($62,419 vs $42,891). Springfield leads in average commute (17.6 min vs 22.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 79.7 (#112) |
| Population | 276,807 | 112,544 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $174,630 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $62,419 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 17.6 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 38 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 24.7 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 92 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | R+5.0 |
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+
79.7 Score
Springfield, IL
Mid-size Illinois city with community character
Median Home
$174,630
Population
112,544
Crime
High
Walk Score
38
Midwest
View Springfield, IL →
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