Buffalo NY vs Cedar Rapids IA — 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%
Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa · Population: 136,859
- Median HH Income$67,859
- Median Home Price$210,271
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+32.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
136,859
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
36.9
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
7.1%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Cedar Rapids
79.7%
Cedar Rapids +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
8.5%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
2.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Cedar Rapids
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 136,859 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.9 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.1% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 79.7% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Black | 32.9% | 8.5% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.1% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Cedar Rapids
$67,859
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Cedar Rapids
$39,824
Cedar Rapids +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Cedar Rapids
3.9%
Cedar Rapids +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Cedar Rapids
11.8%
Cedar Rapids +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Cedar Rapids
32.9%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $67,859 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $39,824 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,226 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.8% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 32.9% | Cedar Rapids + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Cedar Rapids
$210,271
Cedar Rapids +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Cedar Rapids
68.2%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $210,271 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 68.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Cedar Rapids
296
Cedar Rapids +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Cedar Rapids
1452
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 296 | Cedar Rapids + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1452 | Cedar Rapids + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Cedar Rapids
36.3%
Cedar Rapids +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Cedar Rapids
11.1%
Cedar Rapids +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Cedar Rapids
17.4%
Cedar Rapids +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Cedar Rapids
7.2%
Cedar Rapids +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
20.4%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Cedar Rapids
14.6%
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 36.3% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.1% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.4% | Cedar Rapids + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 7.2% | Cedar Rapids + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.4% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.6% | Cedar Rapids + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
50.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Cedar Rapids
37.6 in
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 50.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 37.6 in | Cedar Rapids + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Cedar Rapids
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Cedar Rapids
19.4 min
Cedar Rapids +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cedar Rapids, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.4 min | Cedar Rapids + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cedar Rapids leads in median household income at $67,859, while cedar Rapids offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,271. On public safety, Cedar Rapids is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Cedar Rapids has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cedar Rapids scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.3%.
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