Buffalo NY vs Independence MO — 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%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Independence
5.3%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Independence
12.4%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 121,944 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.4 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 5.3% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 32.9% | 10.8% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.4% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.4% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Independence
$31,683
Independence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Independence
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $31,683 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 20.9% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Independence
$210,384
Independence +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $210,384 | Independence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Independence
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.5% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.4% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Independence
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Independence
43.7 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 43.7 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Independence
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while independence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,384. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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