Bend OR 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)
Bend, OR
Oregon · Population: 97,502
- Median HH Income$94,279
- Median Home Price$735,193
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+49.3%
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
Bend
97,502
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bend
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Bend
37.6
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Bend
17.6%
Bend +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Bend
65.5%
Bend +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Bend
2.8%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Bend
11.4%
Bend +
Buffalo
8.2%
Hispanic
Bend
17.3%
Bend +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Bend
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 97,502 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.6 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 17.6% | 10.5% | Bend + |
| White | 65.5% | 45.4% | Bend + |
| Black | 2.8% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 8.2% | Bend + |
| Hispanic | 17.3% | 12.7% | Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bend
$94,279
Bend +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Bend
$51,659
Bend +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bend
$63,691
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Bend
4.2%
Bend +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Bend
9.9%
Bend +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bend
49.3%
Bend +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,279 | $48,050 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,659 | $30,995 | Bend + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 7.2% | Bend + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 27.4% | Bend + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.3% | 30.3% | Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bend
$735,193
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Bend
49.8%
Bend +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $735,193 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.8% | 42.7% | Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
355
Bend +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bend
3001
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 434 | Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
26.5%
Bend +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bend
8.9%
Bend +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bend
16.0%
Bend +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bend
6.5%
Bend +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bend
17.7%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bend
10.0%
Bend +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.5% | 38.4% | Bend + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 13.4% | Bend + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 19.1% | Bend + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 9.4% | Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 16.5% | Bend + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
46.6°F
Bend +
Buffalo
48.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bend
11.4 in
Bend +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6°F | 48.3°F | Bend + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.4 in | 40.5 in | Bend + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bend
9.0 µg/m³
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bend
55.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bend
26.1 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Bend, OR | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bend leads in median household income at $94,279, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Bend has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bend scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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