Allen TX vs Buffalo NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Allen
107,684
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Allen
10.6%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
Buffalo
8.2%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 10.5% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 45.4% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 8.2% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
Allen +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $48,050 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $30,995 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.2% | Allen + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 27.4% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 30.3% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 42.7% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 434 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Allen, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 38.4% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.4% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 19.1% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 9.4% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 16.5% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
Allen +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Allen, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | 40.5 in | Allen + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Allen
30.3 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Allen, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. Allen has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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