Buffalo NY vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Tempe
186,419
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 186,419 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 45.4% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 32.9% | 7.8% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $468,328 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 41.6% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 71.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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