Buffalo NY vs Knoxville TN — 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%
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Knoxville
193,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Knoxville
7.0%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Knoxville
15.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Knoxville
1.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Knoxville
7.5%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Knoxville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 193,721 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.0% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 72.2% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 32.9% | 15.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.5% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Knoxville
$50,994
Knoxville +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Knoxville
$33,171
Knoxville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Knoxville
$59,097
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Knoxville
4.4%
Knoxville +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Knoxville
20.5%
Knoxville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $50,994 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $33,171 | Knoxville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,097 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.4% | Knoxville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 20.5% | Knoxville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 33.7% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Knoxville
$371,202
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Knoxville
46.6%
Knoxville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $371,202 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 46.6% | Knoxville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Knoxville
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Knoxville
2350
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 639 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2350 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Knoxville
36.0%
Knoxville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Knoxville
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Knoxville
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Knoxville
17.8%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 36.0% | Knoxville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.6% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 22.0% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.8% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Knoxville
57.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Knoxville
51.9 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 57.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 51.9 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Knoxville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Knoxville
22.0 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Knoxville, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.0 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Knoxville leads in median household income at $50,994, 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 639 in Knoxville. Knoxville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Knoxville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.0%.
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