City Comparison
Sheridan vs Buffalo
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Sheridan scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Sheridan
Buffalo
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Buffalo is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
6% lower than in Sheridan.
Housing costs are a major driver: Sheridan's average rent is
20% higher than Buffalo's.
| Metric | Sheridan | Buffalo | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,046 | +20% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,185 | $2,046 | +7% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 95 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Buffalo offers 23% 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 Sheridan is estimated at
$50,000 vs $40,764 in Buffalo.
| Metric | Sheridan | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $75,000 |
| Salary Needed | $50,000 | $40,764 |
| Purchasing Power | 59,184 idx | 78,947 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $50,041 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.3°F of each other.
For sunshine, Sheridan comes out ahead with 51 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Sheridan sees 8.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Sheridan | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 46.20°F | 49.50°F |
| Summer High | 80.20°F | 78.90°F |
| Winter Low | 10.80°F | 20.20°F |
| Rainfall | 22.20 in | 40.70 in |
| Snowfall | 52.40 in | 43.90 in |
| Sunny Days | 275 | 224 |
| Humidity | 55.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Sheridan has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 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 | Sheridan | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 15 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Walkability | 58.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Buffalo is the larger city
— approximately 0.1x the population of Sheridan.
From a growth perspective, Sheridan is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Sheridan has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Sheridan | Buffalo |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,700 | 274,006 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 34.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 5.70% |
| GDP | — | $109.5B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Sheridan
Advantages
Wyoming has no state income tax, allowing residents to retain a larger share of their earnings.
Stunning proximity to the Bighorn Mountains offers world-class hiking, skiing, and fishing.
Crime rates in Sheridan are significantly lower than the national average.
A thriving historic downtown features local galleries, breweries, and the historic WYO Theater.
Friendly, community-oriented atmosphere with strong local civic engagement.
Drawbacks
Winters are long, cold, and bring significant snowfall averaging over 50 inches annually.
Housing inventory can be limited, putting upward pressure on local home prices and rents.
Limited public transportation options require residents to rely heavily on personal vehicles.
Geographic isolation means major metropolitan shopping and entertainment are hours away.
Job market diversity is narrower compared to larger urban centers.
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.
Sheridan
#108Wyoming, USA
67.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
58.0/100
Sunny Days
275/yr
Avg Temp
46.20°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
80
Business
70
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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