Buffalo NY

In Buffalo, the rent-to-income burden runs around 25% — refreshingly manageable by national standards. Median income sits at $50,041 and median rent is $1,046/month. 49% of renters are cost-burdened (30%+ of income on housing). Landlords are winning; everyone else is treading water. Median home value: $164,200 — that's 3.3× the median income. Employment picture: 7.27% unemployment — a average employment landscape. Poverty rate: 26.0% — well above the national average. The headline economic numbers hide a bifurcated city. Average commute: 20 minutes — mercifully short. Violent crime: 78.9/100k avg monthly rate (9813 reported); Property crime: 273.5/100k avg monthly rate (34141 reported). Buffalo was founded in 1832 — that's 194 years of history baked into the streets. The city covers 52.5 sq miles at 5,274 people/sq mile — moderately dense. Elevation: 600 ft — modest elevation. Buffalo has 12 sister cities — cosmopolitan on paper, at least. RoastMyCity overall score: 63/100 — It Depends.