Buffalo NY vs North Las Vegas NV — 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%
North Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 186,178
- Median HH Income$58,874
- Median Home Price$407,146
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+23.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
186,178
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
39.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
North Las Vegas
26.0%
North Las Vegas +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
43.6%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
11.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
North Las Vegas
11.4%
North Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
North Las Vegas
34.6%
North Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
North Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 186,178 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 26.0% | North Las Vegas + |
| White | 45.4% | 43.6% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 11.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 11.4% | North Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 34.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
North Las Vegas
$58,874
North Las Vegas +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
North Las Vegas
$35,069
North Las Vegas +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
North Las Vegas
16.8%
North Las Vegas +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
23.9%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $58,874 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,069 | North Las Vegas + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $62,696 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 23.9% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
$407,146
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
41.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $407,146 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 41.2% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 460 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2417 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
North Las Vegas
33.8%
North Las Vegas +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
North Las Vegas
12.2%
North Las Vegas +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
19.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
North Las Vegas
15.6%
North Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
North Las Vegas
16.1%
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.8% | North Las Vegas + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.2% | North Las Vegas + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.7% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 19.6% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | North Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.1% | North Las Vegas + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
68.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
North Las Vegas
4.7 in
North Las Vegas +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 68.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 4.7 in | North Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
North Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
North Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
North Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | North Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
North Las Vegas
24.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | North Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Las Vegas leads in median household income at $58,874, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in North Las Vegas. Buffalo has a lower unemployment rate at 7.2%, and North Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Las Vegas scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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