Buffalo NY vs Phoenix AZ — 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Phoenix
3.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.8 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 45.4% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 32.9% | 7.8% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Phoenix
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Phoenix
5.1%
Phoenix +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $411,323 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 450 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2150 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Phoenix
16.3%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 17.3% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.3% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 72.1°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 10.8 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.7 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 450 in Phoenix. Phoenix has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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