Buffalo NY vs Davenport 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Davenport
101,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Davenport
37.8
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Davenport
4.6%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Davenport
11.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Davenport
1.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Davenport
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 101,083 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.8 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 4.6% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 75.9% | Davenport + |
| Black | 32.9% | 11.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.1% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Davenport
$64,497
Davenport +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Davenport
$36,583
Davenport +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Davenport
$61,226
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Davenport
4.8%
Davenport +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Davenport
15.6%
Davenport +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Davenport
30.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $64,497 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $36,583 | Davenport + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,226 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.8% | Davenport + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.6% | Davenport + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 30.0% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $191,117 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 63.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Davenport
11.7%
Davenport +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Davenport
17.8%
Davenport +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Davenport
21.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Davenport
16.2%
Davenport +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 42.6% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.7% | Davenport + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Davenport + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.2% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 21.1% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.2% | Davenport + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Davenport
49.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 49.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 36.0 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Davenport
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Davenport, 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
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.4 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Davenport leads in median household income at $64,497, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Davenport has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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