Austin 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)
Austin, TX
Texas · Population: 967,862
- Median HH Income$91,461
- Median Home Price$511,264
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+58.2%
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
Austin
967,862
Austin +
Buffalo
276,397
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Austin
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Austin
34.5
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Austin
18.1%
Austin +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Austin
59.9%
Austin +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Austin
7.5%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Austin
8.6%
Austin +
Buffalo
8.2%
Hispanic
Austin
32.2%
Austin +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Austin
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Austin, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 967,862 | 276,397 | Austin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.5% | Austin + |
| White | 59.9% | 45.4% | Austin + |
| Black | 7.5% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.6% | 8.2% | Austin + |
| Hispanic | 32.2% | 12.7% | Austin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Austin
$91,461
Austin +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Austin
$59,427
Austin +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Austin
$63,758
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Austin
4.5%
Austin +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Austin
12.3%
Austin +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Austin
58.2%
Austin +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $91,461 | $48,050 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,427 | $30,995 | Austin + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 7.2% | Austin + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.3% | 27.4% | Austin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 58.2% | 30.3% | Austin + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Austin
$511,264
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Austin
44.4%
Austin +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $511,264 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.4% | 42.7% | Austin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
442
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Austin
2339
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
30.1%
Austin +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Austin
8.1%
Austin +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Austin
16.9%
Austin +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Austin
15.1%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Austin
20.0%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Austin
9.4%
Austin +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Austin, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 38.4% | Austin + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.1% | 13.4% | Austin + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 19.1% | Austin + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.0% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 16.5% | Austin + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
67.2°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Austin
34.9 in
Austin +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Austin, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.2°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 34.9 in | 40.5 in | Austin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Austin
9.2 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Austin
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Austin, 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
Austin
25.8 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Austin, TX | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Austin leads in median household income at $91,461, 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 Austin. Austin has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Austin scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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