Buffalo NY vs Omaha NE — 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%
Omaha, NE
Nebraska · Population: 488,197
- Median HH Income$72,708
- Median Home Price$297,017
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+40.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Omaha
488,197
Omaha +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Omaha
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Omaha
35.3
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Omaha
10.9%
Omaha +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Omaha
68.8%
Omaha +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Omaha
11.8%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Omaha
4.0%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Omaha
15.6%
Omaha +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Omaha
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 488,197 | Omaha + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 10.9% | Omaha + |
| White | 45.4% | 68.8% | Omaha + |
| Black | 32.9% | 11.8% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.0% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 15.6% | Omaha + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Omaha
$72,708
Omaha +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Omaha
$42,515
Omaha +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Omaha
$66,354
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Omaha
4.2%
Omaha +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Omaha
12.8%
Omaha +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Omaha
40.3%
Omaha +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $72,708 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $42,515 | Omaha + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $66,354 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.2% | Omaha + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.8% | Omaha + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 40.3% | Omaha + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Omaha
$297,017
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Omaha
57.7%
Omaha +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $297,017 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 57.7% | Omaha + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Omaha
294
Omaha +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Omaha
1960
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 294 | Omaha + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1960 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Omaha
37.5%
Omaha +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Omaha
10.2%
Omaha +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Omaha
15.2%
Omaha +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Omaha
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Omaha
20.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Omaha
14.2%
Omaha +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 37.5% | Omaha + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.2% | Omaha + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.2% | Omaha + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.0% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 20.0% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 14.2% | Omaha + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Omaha
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Omaha
30.6 in
Omaha +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 51.1°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 30.6 in | Omaha + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Omaha
7.6 µg/m³
Omaha +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Omaha
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Omaha + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Omaha
21.1 min
Omaha +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Omaha, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 21.1 min | Omaha + |
Which City is Right for You?
Omaha leads in median household income at $72,708, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Omaha is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Omaha has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Omaha has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Omaha scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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