Buffalo NY vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Lakewood
156,309
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Lakewood
8.5%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Lakewood
4.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 156,309 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 8.5% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Lakewood
$85,789
Lakewood +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Lakewood
$51,218
Lakewood +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Lakewood
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Lakewood
4.5%
Lakewood +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Lakewood
45.3%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $85,789 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $51,218 | Lakewood + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.5% | Lakewood + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 45.3% | Lakewood + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Lakewood
$575,076
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $575,076 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Lakewood
15.8%
Lakewood +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Lakewood
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Lakewood
10.7%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.8% | Lakewood + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.7% | Lakewood + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Lakewood
51.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.4°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lakewood leads in median household income at $85,789, 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 512 in Lakewood. Lakewood has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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