Buffalo NY vs Eugene OR — 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%
Eugene, OR
Oregon · Population: 177,520
- Median HH Income$63,836
- Median Home Price$478,489
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+44.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Eugene
177,520
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Eugene
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Eugene
35.4
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Eugene
6.8%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Eugene
78.9%
Eugene +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Eugene
1.8%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Eugene
3.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Eugene
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Eugene
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 177,520 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.4 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 6.8% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 78.9% | Eugene + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.8% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.4% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Eugene
$63,836
Eugene +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Eugene
$41,035
Eugene +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Eugene
$63,691
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Eugene
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Eugene
18.2%
Eugene +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Eugene
44.2%
Eugene +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $63,836 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $41,035 | Eugene + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,691 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.6% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 18.2% | Eugene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 44.2% | Eugene + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Eugene
$478,489
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Eugene
47.6%
Eugene +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $478,489 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 47.6% | Eugene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Eugene
355
Eugene +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Eugene
3001
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 355 | Eugene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3001 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Eugene
34.0%
Eugene +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Eugene
9.4%
Eugene +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Eugene
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Eugene
8.3%
Eugene +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Eugene
15.1%
Eugene +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Eugene
11.9%
Eugene +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.0% | Eugene + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.4% | Eugene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Eugene + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.1% | Eugene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | Eugene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Eugene
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Eugene
46.1 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 52.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 46.1 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Eugene
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Eugene
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Eugene
19.9 min
Eugene +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Eugene, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.9 min | Eugene + |
Which City is Right for You?
Eugene leads in median household income at $63,836, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Eugene is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Eugene scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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