Buffalo NY vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Tacoma
220,482
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 220,482 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 45.4% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 32.9% | 10.5% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Tacoma
$76,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Tacoma
5.3%
Tacoma +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.3% | Tacoma + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $496,966 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3409 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Tacoma
37.3%
Tacoma +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Tacoma
18.7%
Tacoma +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Tacoma
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 37.3% | Tacoma + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.7% | Tacoma + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.8% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 53.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 31.1 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Tacoma has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tacoma scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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