Buffalo NY vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Waco
141,925
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Waco
9.8%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 141,925 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 9.8% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 32.9% | 20.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 2.0% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Waco
$51,468
Waco +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Waco
24.0%
Waco +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $51,468 | Waco + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $28,819 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $63,758 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 24.0% | Waco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 28.6% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 442 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2339 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 20.4% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 20.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 66.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Buffalo +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Buffalo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Buffalo + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Waco leads in median household income at $51,468, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Buffalo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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