Buffalo NY vs Renton WA — 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%
Renton, WA
Washington · Population: 75,721
- Median HH Income$162,099
- Median Home Price$765,686
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+74.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Renton
75,721
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Renton
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Renton
35.0
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Renton
44.4%
Renton +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Renton
48.7%
Renton +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Renton
2.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Renton
39.2%
Renton +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Renton
6.8%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Renton
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 75,721 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.0 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 44.4% | Renton + |
| White | 45.4% | 48.7% | Renton + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 39.2% | Renton + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 6.8% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Renton
$162,099
Renton +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Renton
$89,026
Renton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Renton
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Renton
4.1%
Renton +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Renton
5.8%
Renton +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Renton
74.7%
Renton +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $162,099 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $89,026 | Renton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.1% | Renton + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 5.8% | Renton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 74.7% | Renton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Renton
$765,686
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Renton
45.2%
Renton +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $765,686 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 45.2% | Renton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Renton
383
Renton +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Renton
3409
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Renton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Renton
24.0%
Renton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Renton
8.5%
Renton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Renton
16.0%
Renton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Renton
9.1%
Renton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Renton
16.1%
Renton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Renton
8.9%
Renton +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 24.0% | Renton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.5% | Renton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | Renton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.1% | Renton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.1% | Renton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.9% | Renton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Renton
53.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Renton
40.1 in
Renton +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 53.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 40.1 in | Renton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Renton
7.5 µg/m³
Renton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Renton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Renton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Renton
25.4 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Renton, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.4 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Renton leads in median household income at $162,099, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Renton is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Renton has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and Renton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Renton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.0%.
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