City Comparison
Douglas vs Buffalo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Douglas scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Douglas
Buffalo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Douglas is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
2% lower than in Buffalo.
| Metric | Douglas | Buffalo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,100 | $1,046 | +5% |
| Groceries | $380 | $450 | -16% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,995 | $2,046 | -2% |
| Cost Index | 94 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buffalo offers 17% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Buffalo delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Douglas is estimated at
$48,000 vs $40,764 in Buffalo.
| Metric | Douglas | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $62,000 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $40,764 |
| Purchasing Power | 65,957 idx | 78,947 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $50,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.1°F of each other.
For sunshine, Douglas comes out ahead with 57 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buffalo sees 17 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Douglas | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 48.40°F | 49.50°F |
| Summer High | 81.60°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 17.50°F | 20.20°F |
| Rainfall | 14.80 in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | 26.90 in | 43.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 281 | 224 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Douglas has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Buffalo.
Buffalo scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Buffalo leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Douglas | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 17 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 22.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buffalo is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Douglas is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Douglas has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Douglas | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,386 | 274,006 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 5.70% |
| GDP | — | $109.5B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Douglas
Advantages
No state personal income tax in Wyoming, providing financial relief for residents.
Proximity to scenic outdoor destinations like Ayres Natural Bridge Park and the North Platte River.
Low violent crime rates and a secure, family-friendly community environment.
Presence of Memorial Hospital of Converse County ensuring accessible local healthcare.
Host of the annual Wyoming State Fair, offering vibrant community culture and traditions.
Drawbacks
Economy is sensitive to cyclical fluctuations in the energy and mining sectors.
Limited public transportation infrastructure, making a personal vehicle essential.
Colder winter conditions and seasonal weather extremes require preparation.
Limited local options for high-end retail, major dining chains, and entertainment.
Geographic isolation from major metropolitan centers and large airports.
Buffalo
Advantages
The cost of living in Buffalo is lower than the national average, particularly for housing and utilities. [19]
Buffalo has a shorter average commute time (19.9 minutes) compared to the national average. [3]
The city is experiencing significant investment and redevelopment in various neighborhoods, including downtown. [11, 24]
Buffalo has a diverse and growing economy with strong sectors in healthcare and education. [3, 24]
The city offers a rich cultural scene with numerous museums, performing arts venues, and annual festivals. [11]
Drawbacks
Buffalo's unemployment rate in July 2026 was 5.70%, higher than the national average. [31]
The poverty rate in Buffalo is 26%, which is higher than the national average. [3]
Despite downtown growth, a lack of amenities like grocery stores and infrequent weekend public transit can be a drawback. [18]
Job losses were observed in some sectors like manufacturing and financial activities in Western New York in August 2026. [22]
Buffalo Public Schools score below the New York state average in mathematics and English Language Arts proficiency. [23]
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Douglas
#151Wyoming, USA
65.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$62,000
Cost Index
94
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
281/yr
Avg Temp
48.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
74
Business
67
Buffalo
#342New York, USA
60.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,046
Avg Salary
$75,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
55.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
224/yr
Avg Temp
49.50°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.70%
Livability
74
Business
68
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