Both Detroit and Buffalo both have large public research universities along with many smaller public and private institutions. Detroit has the University of Mi

Both Detroit and Buffalo both have large public research universities along with many smaller public and private institutions. Detroit has the University of Michigan with 44,700 students nearby (about the same distance as my unfortunately long commute). Buffalo has the University of Buffalo with 30,600 students. Both universities are among the largest employers in their metro areas. Both metros have tried to diversify their economies, as have Pittsburgh and Cleveland. The health care industry is a large source of jobs for all of them.