Buffalo NY vs Scottsdale 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
242,169
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Scottsdale
11.2%
Scottsdale +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
5.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 242,169 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 49.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 11.2% | Scottsdale + |
| White | 45.4% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 5.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $858,307 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Scottsdale, 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%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Scottsdale
10.3 in
Scottsdale +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 72.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 10.3 in | Scottsdale + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Scottsdale
23.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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