Buffalo NY vs Lubbock TX — 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%
Lubbock, TX
Texas · Population: 261,078
- Median HH Income$60,487
- Median Home Price$210,477
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+34.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Lubbock
261,078
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Lubbock
30.4
Lubbock +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Lubbock
6.2%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Lubbock
64.6%
Lubbock +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Lubbock
8.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Lubbock
2.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Lubbock
36.8%
Lubbock +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Lubbock
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 261,078 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 30.4 | Lubbock + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 6.2% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 64.6% | Lubbock + |
| Black | 32.9% | 8.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 36.8% | Lubbock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Lubbock
$60,487
Lubbock +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Lubbock
$34,629
Lubbock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Lubbock
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Lubbock
4.8%
Lubbock +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Lubbock
19.0%
Lubbock +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Lubbock
34.9%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $60,487 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $34,629 | Lubbock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.0% | Lubbock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 34.9% | Lubbock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Lubbock
$210,477
Lubbock +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Lubbock
50.8%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $210,477 | Lubbock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 50.8% | Lubbock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Lubbock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Lubbock
2339
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Lubbock
35.8%
Lubbock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Lubbock
11.8%
Lubbock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Lubbock
18.5%
Lubbock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Lubbock
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Lubbock
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Lubbock
13.0%
Lubbock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.8% | Lubbock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.8% | Lubbock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.5% | Lubbock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 18.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 13.0% | Lubbock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Lubbock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Lubbock
21.1 in
Lubbock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 21.1 in | Lubbock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Lubbock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Lubbock
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Lubbock
17.4 min
Lubbock +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lubbock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 17.4 min | Lubbock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lubbock leads in median household income at $60,487, while lubbock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $210,477. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Lubbock. Lubbock has a lower unemployment rate at 4.8%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lubbock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.8%.
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