Buffalo NY vs Garland 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%
Garland, TX
Texas · Population: 245,298
- Median HH Income$74,717
- Median Home Price$289,605
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+25.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Garland
245,298
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Garland
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Garland
34.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Garland
31.2%
Garland +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Garland
37.5%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Garland
15.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Garland
11.2%
Garland +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Garland
45.0%
Garland +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Garland
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 245,298 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 31.2% | Garland + |
| White | 45.4% | 37.5% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 15.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 11.2% | Garland + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 45.0% | Garland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Garland
$74,717
Garland +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Garland
$31,477
Garland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Garland
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Garland
4.9%
Garland +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Garland
12.3%
Garland +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Garland
25.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $74,717 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $31,477 | Garland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.9% | Garland + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.3% | Garland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 25.0% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Garland
$289,605
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Garland
61.6%
Garland +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $289,605 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 61.6% | Garland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Garland
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Garland
2339
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Garland, 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%
Garland
34.7%
Garland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Garland
13.0%
Garland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Garland
17.3%
Garland +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Garland
22.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Garland
16.1%
Garland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Garland
13.1%
Garland +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.7% | Garland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Garland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.3% | Garland + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 22.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.1% | Garland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.1% | Garland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Garland
69.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Garland
49.5 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 69.1°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 49.5 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Garland
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Garland
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Garland, 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 +
Garland
32.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Garland, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garland leads in median household income at $74,717, 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 442 in Garland. Garland has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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