Buffalo NY vs Cape Coral FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Cape Coral, FL
Florida · Population: 206,387
- Median HH Income$76,062
- Median Home Price$339,638
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
206,387
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
48.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Cape Coral
17.9%
Cape Coral +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Cape Coral
72.9%
Cape Coral +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
4.5%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
1.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Cape Coral
25.1%
Cape Coral +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 206,387 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 48.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 17.9% | Cape Coral + |
| White | 45.4% | 72.9% | Cape Coral + |
| Black | 32.9% | 4.5% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 25.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Cape Coral
$76,062
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Cape Coral
$39,603
Cape Coral +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Cape Coral
4.1%
Cape Coral +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Cape Coral
9.8%
Cape Coral +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
25.7%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $76,062 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $39,603 | Cape Coral + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $65,328 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 9.8% | Cape Coral + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 25.7% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
$339,638
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Cape Coral
77.7%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $339,638 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 77.7% | Cape Coral + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Cape Coral
324
Cape Coral +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Cape Coral
1453
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 324 | Cape Coral + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1453 | Cape Coral + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Cape Coral
30.6%
Cape Coral +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Cape Coral
13.4%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Cape Coral
15.5%
Cape Coral +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Cape Coral
15.1%
Cape Coral +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Cape Coral
12.6%
Cape Coral +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 30.6% | Cape Coral + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.4% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.5% | Cape Coral + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Cape Coral + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.6% | Cape Coral + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Cape Coral
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Cape Coral
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Cape Coral
7.2 µg/m³
Cape Coral +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Cape Coral
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Cape Coral + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Cape Coral
31.1 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cape Coral, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.1 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cape Coral leads in median household income at $76,062, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Cape Coral is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Cape Coral has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Cape Coral has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cape Coral scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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