Buffalo NY vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Lincoln
9.2%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Lincoln
4.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Lincoln
8.8%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 9.2% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 32.9% | 4.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.8% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Lincoln
$69,991
Lincoln +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Lincoln
$39,187
Lincoln +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Lincoln
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Lincoln
12.6%
Lincoln +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Lincoln
40.9%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $69,991 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $39,187 | Lincoln + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $66,354 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.6% | Lincoln + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 40.9% | Lincoln + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Lincoln
$293,233
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $293,233 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Lincoln
1960
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1960 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Lincoln
35.1%
Lincoln +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Lincoln
9.5%
Lincoln +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Lincoln
15.2%
Lincoln +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Lincoln
20.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Lincoln
12.5%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.1% | Lincoln + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.5% | Lincoln + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Lincoln + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.6% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.5% | Lincoln + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Lincoln
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lincoln leads in median household income at $69,991, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lincoln scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.1%.
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