Buffalo NY vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Minneapolis
61.6%
Minneapolis +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
18.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
5.2%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
10.5%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 45.4% | 61.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Black | 32.9% | 18.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Minneapolis
$80,269
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Minneapolis
$50,605
Minneapolis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Minneapolis
5.7%
Minneapolis +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Minneapolis
16.4%
Minneapolis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Minneapolis
54.4%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $80,269 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $50,605 | Minneapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,467 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.7% | Minneapolis + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 54.4% | Minneapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
$334,719
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Minneapolis
48.0%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $334,719 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 48.0% | Minneapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
1992
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1992 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Minneapolis
17.1%
Minneapolis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Minneapolis
12.7%
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.1% | Minneapolis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.8% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.7% | Minneapolis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Minneapolis
24.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Minneapolis leads in median household income at $80,269, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Minneapolis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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