Buffalo NY vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.6 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 45.4% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 32.9% | 5.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.1% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Tucson
$54,546
Tucson +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Tucson
$31,152
Tucson +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Tucson
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Tucson
6.4%
Tucson +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Tucson
18.8%
Tucson +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $54,546 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $31,152 | Tucson + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $59,120 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.4% | Tucson + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 18.8% | Tucson + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 30.2% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $324,946 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Tucson
18.3%
Tucson +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.3% | Tucson + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 69.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Tucson
23.9 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 23.9 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tucson leads in median household income at $54,546, 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 Tucson. Tucson has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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