Buffalo NY vs Las Cruces NM — 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%
Las Cruces, NM
New Mexico · Population: 112,612
- Median HH Income$55,176
- Median Home Price$290,963
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+37.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
112,612
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Las Cruces
32.7
Las Cruces +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
10.1%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Las Cruces
54.1%
Las Cruces +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
2.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
1.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Las Cruces
59.4%
Las Cruces +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 112,612 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.7 | Las Cruces + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 10.1% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 54.1% | Las Cruces + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 59.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Las Cruces
$55,176
Las Cruces +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
$30,804
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Las Cruces
22.0%
Las Cruces +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Las Cruces
37.3%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $55,176 | Las Cruces + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $30,804 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $53,141 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 7.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 22.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 37.3% | Las Cruces + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
$290,963
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Las Cruces
55.6%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $290,963 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 55.6% | Las Cruces + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
3177
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 834 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3177 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Las Cruces
35.4%
Las Cruces +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Las Cruces
13.0%
Las Cruces +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Las Cruces
15.8%
Las Cruces +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
17.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Las Cruces
14.9%
Las Cruces +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Las Cruces
12.1%
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.4% | Las Cruces + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Las Cruces + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.8% | Las Cruces + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.9% | Las Cruces + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.1% | Las Cruces + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Las Cruces
58.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Las Cruces
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 58.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces
6.1 µg/m³
Las Cruces +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Las Cruces
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Las Cruces + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Las Cruces
20.5 min
Las Cruces +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Las Cruces, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.5 min | Las Cruces + |
Which City is Right for You?
Las Cruces leads in median household income at $55,176, 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 834 in Las Cruces. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and Las Cruces has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Las Cruces scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.4%.
Compare More Cities
Buffalo, NY vs New York, NYBuffalo, NY vs Los Angeles, CABuffalo, NY vs Chicago, ILBuffalo, NY vs Houston, TXBuffalo, NY vs Phoenix, AZBuffalo, NY vs Philadelphia, PA