Buffalo NY vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Little Rock
202,739
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Little Rock
7.9%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Little Rock
46.4%
Little Rock +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Little Rock
3.0%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Little Rock
10.4%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 202,739 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.4 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 7.9% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 46.4% | Little Rock + |
| Black | 32.9% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.0% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 10.4% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Little Rock
$60,583
Little Rock +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Little Rock
$43,242
Little Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Little Rock
4.2%
Little Rock +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Little Rock
16.4%
Little Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Little Rock
44.0%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $60,583 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $43,242 | Little Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $53,714 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.2% | Little Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.4% | Little Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 44.0% | Little Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Little Rock
54.2%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 54.2% | Little Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 660 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2507 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Little Rock
13.1%
Little Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Little Rock
17.5%
Little Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Little Rock
13.3%
Little Rock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 40.5% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.1% | Little Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.5% | Little Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.3% | Little Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Little Rock
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Little Rock
50.0 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 62.7°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 50.0 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Little Rock leads in median household income at $60,583, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. Little Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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