Buffalo NY vs Eden Prairie MN — 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%
Eden Prairie, MN
Minnesota · Population: 63,249
- Median HH Income$127,732
- Median Home Price$505,908
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
63,249
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Eden Prairie
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
40.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Eden Prairie
16.6%
Eden Prairie +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Eden Prairie
69.5%
Eden Prairie +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
7.1%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Eden Prairie
13.6%
Eden Prairie +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Eden Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 63,249 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 16.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| White | 45.4% | 69.5% | Eden Prairie + |
| Black | 32.9% | 7.1% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 13.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.1% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Eden Prairie
$127,732
Eden Prairie +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Eden Prairie
$70,228
Eden Prairie +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Eden Prairie
3.3%
Eden Prairie +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Eden Prairie
6.0%
Eden Prairie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Eden Prairie
64.7%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $127,732 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $70,228 | Eden Prairie + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,467 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 6.0% | Eden Prairie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 64.7% | Eden Prairie + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
$505,908
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Eden Prairie
75.6%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $505,908 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 75.6% | Eden Prairie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Eden Prairie
284
Eden Prairie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
1992
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 284 | Eden Prairie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1992 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Eden Prairie
24.3%
Eden Prairie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Eden Prairie
7.3%
Eden Prairie +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Eden Prairie
12.9%
Eden Prairie +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Eden Prairie
5.6%
Eden Prairie +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
18.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Eden Prairie
9.0%
Eden Prairie +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 24.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.3% | Eden Prairie + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.9% | Eden Prairie + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.6% | Eden Prairie + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.2% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.0% | Eden Prairie + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Eden Prairie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Eden Prairie
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eden Prairie, MN | 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
Eden Prairie
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Eden Prairie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Eden Prairie
23.7 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eden Prairie, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.7 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eden Prairie leads in median household income at $127,732, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Eden Prairie is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Eden Prairie has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Eden Prairie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eden Prairie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.3%.
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