Buffalo NY vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Tulsa
11.9%
Tulsa +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 11.9% | Tulsa + |
| White | 45.4% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 32.9% | 14.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.5% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Tulsa
$58,407
Tulsa +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Tulsa
$57,929
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Tulsa
6.1%
Tulsa +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Tulsa
18.6%
Tulsa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $58,407 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $57,929 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.1% | Tulsa + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 18.6% | Tulsa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Tulsa
429
Tulsa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 429 | Tulsa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2375 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Tulsa
37.5%
Tulsa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Tulsa
18.8%
Tulsa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Tulsa
14.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Tulsa
16.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 37.5% | Tulsa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.8% | Tulsa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 14.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Tulsa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Buffalo +
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 60.8°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 41.0 in | Buffalo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tulsa leads in median household income at $58,407, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, Tulsa is safer with a violent crime rate of 429 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Buffalo. Tulsa has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tulsa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.5%.
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