Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
Buffalo
276,397
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Arlington
22.4%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 276,397 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.3 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.5% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 22.4% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 12.7% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
Arlington +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
Arlington +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $48,050 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $30,995 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 7.2% | Arlington + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 27.4% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 30.3% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 42.7% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
Arlington +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 38.4% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.4% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 19.1% | Arlington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 16.3% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 16.5% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
Arlington +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | 40.5 in | Arlington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, 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 Arlington. Arlington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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