Buffalo NY vs Louisville KY — 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Louisville
9.8%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Louisville
63.1%
Louisville +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Louisville
23.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Louisville
2.6%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Louisville
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 9.8% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 63.1% | Louisville + |
| Black | 32.9% | 23.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.6% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 8.6% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Louisville
$64,731
Louisville +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Louisville
$38,890
Louisville +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Louisville
33.4%
Louisville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $64,731 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $38,890 | Louisville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $52,606 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.0% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.1% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 33.4% | Louisville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Louisville
$264,957
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $264,957 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Louisville
43.3 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 43.3 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Louisville
24.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Louisville leads in median household income at $64,731, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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