Buffalo NY vs Cheyenne WY — 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%
Cheyenne, WY
Wyoming · Population: 58,754
- Median HH Income$69,171
- Median Home Price$388,590
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
58,754
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
37.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
2.1%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Cheyenne
89.9%
Cheyenne +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
0.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
0.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Cheyenne
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 58,754 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 2.1% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 89.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Black | 32.9% | 0.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 0.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.9% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Cheyenne
$69,171
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Cheyenne
$41,460
Cheyenne +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Cheyenne
$77,800
Cheyenne +
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Cheyenne
3.9%
Cheyenne +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Cheyenne
11.2%
Cheyenne +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
30.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $69,171 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $41,460 | Cheyenne + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,800 | Cheyenne + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 30.0% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
$388,590
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Cheyenne
70.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $388,590 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 70.3% | Cheyenne + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Cheyenne
222
Cheyenne +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Cheyenne
1522
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 222 | Cheyenne + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1522 | Cheyenne + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Cheyenne
33.9%
Cheyenne +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Cheyenne
10.6%
Cheyenne +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Cheyenne
16.2%
Cheyenne +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Cheyenne
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Cheyenne
14.2%
Cheyenne +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Cheyenne
13.3%
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.9% | Cheyenne + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.6% | Cheyenne + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Cheyenne + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.2% | Cheyenne + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.3% | Cheyenne + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Cheyenne
46.3°F
Cheyenne +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Cheyenne
16.3 in
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.3°F | Cheyenne + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 16.3 in | Cheyenne + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Cheyenne
3.9 µg/m³
Cheyenne +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Cheyenne
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 3.9 µg/m³ | Cheyenne + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Cheyenne
17.8 min
Cheyenne +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Cheyenne, WY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 17.8 min | Cheyenne + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cheyenne leads in median household income at $69,171, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Cheyenne is safer with a violent crime rate of 222 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Cheyenne has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Cheyenne has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cheyenne scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.9%.
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