Buffalo NY vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Oklahoma City
35.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Oklahoma City +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 45.4% | 58.4% | Oklahoma City + |
| Black | 32.9% | 13.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Oklahoma City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Oklahoma City +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Oklahoma City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Oklahoma City
34.0%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $66,702 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $37,109 | Oklahoma City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,929 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.2% | Oklahoma City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 34.0% | Oklahoma City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Oklahoma City
429
Oklahoma City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 429 | Oklahoma City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2375 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Oklahoma City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Oklahoma City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Oklahoma City
17.8%
Oklahoma City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Oklahoma City
14.9%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 38.3% | Oklahoma City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.8% | Oklahoma City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.0% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.9% | Oklahoma City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Oklahoma City leads in median household income at $66,702, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Oklahoma City is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Oklahoma City has a lower unemployment rate at 4.7%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Oklahoma City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.3%.
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