Buffalo NY vs Kansas City KS — 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%
Kansas City, KS
Kansas · Population: 154,776
- Median HH Income$59,183
- Median Home Price$202,558
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+20.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Kansas City
154,776
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Kansas City
34.0
Kansas City +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Kansas City
18.6%
Kansas City +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Kansas City
44.0%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Kansas City
20.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Kansas City
5.3%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Kansas City
35.0%
Kansas City +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Kansas City
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 154,776 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.0 | Kansas City + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 18.6% | Kansas City + |
| White | 45.4% | 44.0% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 20.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.3% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 35.0% | Kansas City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Kansas City
$59,183
Kansas City +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Kansas City
$28,059
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Kansas City
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Kansas City
5.5%
Kansas City +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Kansas City
17.9%
Kansas City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Kansas City
20.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $59,183 | Kansas City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $28,059 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.5% | Kansas City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 17.9% | Kansas City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 20.2% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Kansas City
$202,558
Kansas City +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Kansas City
60.4%
Kansas City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $202,558 | Kansas City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 60.4% | Kansas City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Kansas City
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Kansas City
2174
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Kansas City
41.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Kansas City
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Kansas City
17.6%
Kansas City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Kansas City
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Kansas City
15.3%
Kansas City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Kansas City
18.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 41.2% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.6% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.6% | Kansas City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 18.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Kansas City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 18.3% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Kansas City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Kansas City
38.1 in
Kansas City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 38.1 in | Kansas City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Kansas City
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Kansas City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Kansas City
23.7 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Kansas City, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.7 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Kansas City leads in median household income at $59,183, while kansas City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $202,558. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Kansas City. Kansas City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, 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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