Buffalo NY vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 102,583 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.6 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 4.2% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 32.9% | 10.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.3% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Lee's Summit +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Lee's Summit
48.7%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $48,687 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.9% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 48.7% | Lee's Summit + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $313,200 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Lee's Summit +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Lee's Summit +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Lee's Summit
16.7%
Lee's Summit +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Lee's Summit
11.9%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 32.6% | Lee's Summit + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.5% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | Lee's Summit + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| 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
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.9 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, 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 501 in Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit has a lower unemployment rate at 3.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lee's Summit scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
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