Buffalo NY vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 45.4% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 32.9% | 16.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.1% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Saint Paul
$69,467
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Saint Paul
4.9%
Saint Paul +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Saint Paul
15.8%
Saint Paul +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $69,467 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.8% | Saint Paul + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Saint Paul
$297,021
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $297,021 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Saint Paul
1992
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1992 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Saint Paul
24.1 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.1 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Saint Paul has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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