Buffalo NY vs Lafayette LA — 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%
Lafayette, LA
Louisiana · Population: 121,537
- Median HH Income$61,454
- Median Home Price$225,222
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Lafayette
121,537
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Lafayette
37.1
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Lafayette
6.6%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Lafayette
59.1%
Lafayette +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Lafayette
28.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Lafayette
2.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Lafayette
7.6%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Lafayette
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 121,537 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.1 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 6.6% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 59.1% | Lafayette + |
| Black | 32.9% | 28.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.6% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Lafayette
$61,454
Lafayette +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Lafayette
$39,861
Lafayette +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Lafayette
$55,297
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Lafayette
5.1%
Lafayette +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Lafayette
19.1%
Lafayette +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Lafayette
40.6%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $61,454 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $39,861 | Lafayette + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $55,297 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.1% | Lafayette + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.1% | Lafayette + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 40.6% | Lafayette + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Lafayette
$225,222
Lafayette +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Lafayette
55.0%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $225,222 | Lafayette + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 55.0% | Lafayette + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Lafayette
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Lafayette
2824
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 643 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2824 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Lafayette
34.5%
Lafayette +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Buffalo +
Lafayette
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Lafayette
18.4%
Lafayette +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Lafayette
8.3%
Lafayette +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Lafayette
17.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Lafayette
16.1%
Lafayette +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 34.5% | Lafayette + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 14.0% | Buffalo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.4% | Lafayette + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.3% | Lafayette + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.8% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | Lafayette + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Lafayette
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Lafayette
61.0 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 67.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 61.0 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Lafayette
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Lafayette
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lafayette, LA | 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
Lafayette
21.5 min
Lafayette +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lafayette, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.5 min | Lafayette + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lafayette leads in median household income at $61,454, while lafayette offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $225,222. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Lafayette. Lafayette has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lafayette scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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