Buffalo NY vs Springfield MO — 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%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 169,432 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 3.8% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 32.9% | 4.3% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.7% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 5.6% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Buffalo +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $45,984 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $30,864 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $58,527 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $245,279 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 42.9% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 501 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2418 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Springfield
37.7%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 37.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.0% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.0% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 17.1% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 56.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 45.6 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Buffalo leads in median household income at $48,050, 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 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.7%.
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