Boise ID 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)
Boise, ID
Idaho · Population: 235,701
- Median HH Income$81,308
- Median Home Price$504,894
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+46.6%
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
Boise
235,701
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boise
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Boise
38.2
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Boise
7.2%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Boise
83.6%
Boise +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Boise
1.4%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Boise
3.4%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Boise
9.5%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Boise
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Boise, ID | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,701 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.2 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 7.2% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 83.6% | 45.4% | Boise + |
| Black | 1.4% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 3.4% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 9.5% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boise
$81,308
Boise +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Boise
$48,274
Boise +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boise
$57,074
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Boise
3.8%
Boise +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Boise
10.6%
Boise +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boise
46.6%
Boise +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $81,308 | $48,050 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,274 | $30,995 | Boise + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,074 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 7.2% | Boise + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.6% | 27.4% | Boise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.6% | 30.3% | Boise + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boise
$504,894
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Boise
63.0%
Boise +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $504,894 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.0% | 42.7% | Boise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
251
Boise +
Buffalo
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boise
958
Boise +
Buffalo
1736
| Metric | Boise, ID | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 251 | 434 | Boise + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 958 | 1736 | Boise + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boise
N/A
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boise
N/A
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Boise, ID | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 38.4% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.4% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 19.1% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 9.4% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.3% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.5% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
49.9°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boise
18.6 in
Boise +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Boise, ID | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.9°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 18.6 in | 40.5 in | Boise + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boise
7.7 µg/m³
Boise +
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boise
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boise, ID | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boise
20.4 min
Boise +
Buffalo
21.6 min
| Metric | Boise, ID | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 21.6 min | Boise + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boise leads in median household income at $81,308, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Boise is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Boise has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Boise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³).
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