Buffalo NY vs Sugar Land 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
40.6%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 109,735 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 45.4% | 40.6% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 7.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.3% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Sugar Land
4.5%
Sugar Land +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $449,058 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sugar Land, 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%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 71.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 50.4 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sugar Land, 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
Buffalo +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, 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 Sugar Land. Sugar Land has a lower unemployment rate at 4.5%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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