Buffalo NY vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Topeka
126,103
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Topeka
5.3%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 126,103 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 5.3% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 32.9% | 9.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 1.8% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Topeka
$55,902
Topeka +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Topeka
$33,290
Topeka +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Topeka
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Topeka
4.9%
Topeka +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Topeka
15.6%
Topeka +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Topeka
29.1%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $55,902 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $33,290 | Topeka + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.9% | Topeka + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.6% | Topeka + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 29.1% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 449 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2174 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Buffalo +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Topeka
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Buffalo +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 39.7% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.9% | Buffalo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Topeka
39.0 in
Topeka +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 54.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 39.0 in | Topeka + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
Topeka leads in median household income at $55,902, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. Topeka has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Buffalo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 38.4%.
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