Canton-Massillon receives the higher standardized Area Score. That reflects AreaProfile's weighting, not a judgment about which place is better to live in.
Signals
Canton-Massillon
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
Opportunity
58 · Top 43%
vs55 · Bottom 48%
Growth
44 · Bottom 40%
vs35 · Bottom 26%
Climate
63 · Bottom 41%
vs62 · Bottom 37%
Physical resilience
90 · Top 4%
vs80 · Top 15%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs99 · Top 34%
Access
95 · Top 14%
vs97 · Top 12%
Economic stability
63 · Top 34%
vs61 · Top 37%
Measured values
| Metric | Canton-Massillon | Buffalo-Cheektowaga | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 400,372 | 1,161,343 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $67,801 | $72,237 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $36,664 | $42,074 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 413/sq mi | 742/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $186,200 | $226,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $908 | $1,057 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 69.9% | 66.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 3.8% | 4.1% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -0.6% | -0.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.2% | 36.2% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.5% | 13.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 655 | 1,422 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 1.6 | 1.2 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 18.2% | 18.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 84°F | 80°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 20°F | 19°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 41.6" | 40.7" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 17 mi | 8 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.9 min | 22.9 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 42.1 | 40.9 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Canton-Massillon
Elevated or high exposure: hail.
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
Weight what matters to you. Your preferences stay in this browser and never change either Area Score.
Canton-Massillon
73
Your Score
72
Area Score
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
70
Your Score
67
Area Score
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Full profiles: Canton-Massillon, OH Metro Area · Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metro Area · How this is calculated: methodology