Buffalo, NY vs West Lafayette, 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
West Lafayette
73.4
#747 nationally
West Lafayette leads in average commute (15.3 min vs 22.4 min). Buffalo leads in median household income ($42,891 vs $30,317). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 51).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | West Lafayette, IN |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 73.4 (#747) |
| Population | 276,807 | 44,829 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $370,465 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $30,317 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 15.3 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 51 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 2.6 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 103 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | Even |
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
73.4 Score
West Lafayette, IN
Small Indiana city with local appeal
Median Home
$370,465
Population
44,829
Crime
Low
Walk Score
51
Midwest
View West Lafayette, IN →
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