Buffalo NY vs Denver CO — 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Denver
35.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Denver
62.9%
Denver +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Denver
3.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 45.4% | 62.9% | Denver + |
| Black | 32.9% | 8.8% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Denver
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Denver
4.6%
Denver +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Denver
55.6%
Denver +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.6% | Denver + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 55.6% | Denver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Denver
$541,899
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Denver
49.1%
Denver +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $541,899 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 49.1% | Denver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Denver
15.5%
Denver +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Denver
10.2%
Denver +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.5% | Denver + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.3% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 25.9% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.2% | Denver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.4 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, 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 Denver. Denver has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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