Boulder CO 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)
Boulder, CO
Colorado · Population: 106,274
- Median HH Income$85,364
- Median Home Price$970,905
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+76.8%
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
Boulder
106,274
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boulder
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Boulder
28.8
Boulder +
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Boulder
10.2%
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
White
Boulder
81.8%
Boulder +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Boulder
1.1%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Boulder
5.8%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Boulder
11.2%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Boulder
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 106,274 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 28.8 | 34.3 | Boulder + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 81.8% | 45.4% | Boulder + |
| Black | 1.1% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 11.2% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boulder
$85,364
Boulder +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Boulder
$59,450
Boulder +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boulder
$76,653
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Boulder
6.1%
Boulder +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Boulder
21.8%
Boulder +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boulder
76.8%
Boulder +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,364 | $48,050 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Income | $59,450 | $30,995 | Boulder + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,653 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 7.2% | Boulder + |
| Poverty Rate | 21.8% | 27.4% | Boulder + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 76.8% | 30.3% | Boulder + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boulder
$970,905
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Boulder
47.9%
Boulder +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $970,905 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.9% | 42.7% | Boulder + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
512
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boulder
3234
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 512 | 434 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3234 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
16.5%
Boulder +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boulder
5.7%
Boulder +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boulder
17.9%
Boulder +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boulder
8.6%
Boulder +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boulder
19.8%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boulder
9.0%
Boulder +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 38.4% | Boulder + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.7% | 13.4% | Boulder + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.9% | 19.1% | Boulder + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.4% | Boulder + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 16.5% | Boulder + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
51.6°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boulder
20.7 in
Boulder +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.6°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 20.7 in | 40.5 in | Boulder + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boulder
6.2 µg/m³
Boulder +
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boulder
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 6.2 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Boulder + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boulder
21.0 min
Boulder +
Buffalo
21.6 min
| Metric | Boulder, CO | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 21.6 min | Boulder + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boulder leads in median household income at $85,364, 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 512 in Boulder. Boulder has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Boulder has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boulder scores better with a lower obesity rate of 16.5%.
Compare More Cities
Boulder, CO vs New York, NYBoulder, CO vs Los Angeles, CABoulder, CO vs Chicago, ILBoulder, CO vs Houston, TXBoulder, CO vs Phoenix, AZBoulder, CO vs Philadelphia, PA