Buffalo NY vs San Marcos TX — 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%
San Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
San Marcos
35.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
San Marcos
5.8%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
San Marcos
66.6%
San Marcos +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 99,507 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 5.8% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 66.6% | San Marcos + |
| Black | 32.9% | 4.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.4% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
San Marcos
$64,146
San Marcos +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
San Marcos
$33,835
San Marcos +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
San Marcos
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $64,146 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $33,835 | San Marcos + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 24.9% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
San Marcos
$313,452
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $313,452 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
San Marcos
33.6%
San Marcos +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
San Marcos
19.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
San Marcos
11.0%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.6% | San Marcos + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 22.3% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 19.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 19.7% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.0% | San Marcos + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 68.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Marcos leads in median household income at $64,146, 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 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Marcos scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.6%.
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