Buffalo NY vs Jackson MS — 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%
Jackson, MS
Mississippi · Population: 149,827
- Median HH Income$43,238
- Median Home Price$88,100
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Jackson
149,827
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Jackson
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Jackson
34.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Jackson
1.5%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Jackson
14.5%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Jackson
81.8%
Jackson +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Jackson
0.3%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Jackson
2.2%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Jackson
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 149,827 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 1.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 14.5% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 81.8% | Jackson + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 0.3% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 2.2% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Buffalo +
Jackson
$43,238
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Jackson
$26,868
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Jackson
$46,995
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Jackson
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Jackson
26.8%
Jackson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Jackson
28.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $43,238 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $26,868 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $46,995 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 26.8% | Jackson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 28.6% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Jackson
$88,100
Jackson +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Jackson
48.6%
Jackson +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $88,100 | Jackson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 48.6% | Jackson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Jackson
247
Jackson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Jackson
1808
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 247 | Jackson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1808 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Jackson
46.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Jackson
18.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Jackson
18.3%
Jackson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Jackson
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Jackson
11.8%
Jackson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Jackson
18.1%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 46.0% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 18.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Jackson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.8% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 11.8% | Jackson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.1% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Jackson
64.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Jackson
54.1 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 64.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 54.1 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Jackson
10.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Jackson
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 10.0 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Jackson
21.9 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Jackson, MS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.9 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo leads in median household income at $48,050, while jackson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $88,100. On public safety, Jackson is safer with a violent crime rate of 247 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, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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