Buffalo NY vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 45.4% | 39.3% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 3.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
El Paso
$58,734
El Paso +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
El Paso
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
El Paso
6.2%
El Paso +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
El Paso
18.4%
El Paso +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $58,734 | El Paso + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $28,942 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.2% | El Paso + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 18.4% | El Paso + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 27.5% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
El Paso
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.8% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.2% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 27.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.5% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
El Paso
64.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 64.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
El Paso
25.1 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.1 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
El Paso leads in median household income at $58,734, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. El Paso has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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