Buffalo NY vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Meridian
9.5%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 124,865 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.4 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 4.8% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.5% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Meridian
$47,751
Meridian +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Meridian
$57,074
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Meridian
44.4%
Meridian +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $47,751 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,074 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 44.4% | Meridian + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Meridian
$534,732
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $534,732 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Meridian
28.8%
Meridian +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Meridian
15.5%
Meridian +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Meridian
17.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Meridian
10.3%
Meridian +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 28.8% | Meridian + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.5% | Meridian + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.6% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.3% | Meridian + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Meridian, ID | 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
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Meridian
23.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Meridian scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.8%.
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