City Comparison
Newcastle vs Buffalo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Newcastle scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Newcastle
Buffalo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
| Metric | Newcastle | Buffalo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $0 | $1,046 | -100% |
| Groceries | $0 | $450 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $0 | $2,046 | -100% |
| Cost Index | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buffalo offers 46% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Newcastle | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $40,332 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $40,764 |
| Household Income | $82,734 | $50,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Buffalo runs warmer on average — a 49.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Buffalo comes out ahead with 224 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Buffalo sees 43.9 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Newcastle | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | 49.50°F |
| Summer High | °F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | °F | 20.20°F |
| Rainfall | in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | in | 43.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 224 | |
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Buffalo has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Newcastle.
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 | Newcastle | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 27 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | — | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | — | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buffalo is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Newcastle is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Newcastle has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Newcastle | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,349 | 274,006 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 0.40% | 5.70% |
| GDP | — | $109.5B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Newcastle
Advantages
The cost of living in Newcastle is well below the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Newcastle has significantly lower crime rates than both the Wyoming and national averages, contributing to a safe environment.
The housing market in Newcastle is strong, with high scores in affordability and appreciation rates.
The unemployment rate in Newcastle is very low at 0.4% as of 2024, indicating a healthy job market.
Residents of Newcastle enjoy a shorter average commute time to work compared to many other U.S. neighborhoods.
Drawbacks
Amenities in Newcastle are not always within walking distance, requiring residents to often rely on a vehicle.
The health and safety category received a less than perfect score, potentially due to limited accessibility of health-related facilities.
The population of Newcastle has seen a slight decline since the most recent census in 2020.
The percentage of uninsured citizens in Newcastle increased slightly from 2023 to 2024.
While public transit exists, car dependency is likely medium to high due to the sparse suburban feel and limited walkability.
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.
Newcastle
#1Wyoming, USA
88.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$0
Avg Salary
$40,332
Cost Index
Commute
27 min
Transit Score
—
Walkability
—
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
0.40%
Livability
72
Business
0
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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