Buffalo NY vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Spokane
229,228
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Spokane
6.1%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 229,228 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 6.1% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.8% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Spokane
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.0% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $400,636 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Spokane
18.6%
Spokane +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Spokane
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 35.3% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.6% | Spokane + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.5% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Spokane
22.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 22.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
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