Buffalo NY vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Westminster
8.2%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Westminster
4.7%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 115,546 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 32.9% | 1.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.7% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Westminster
$51,982
Westminster +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Westminster
$76,653
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Westminster
3.8%
Westminster +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Westminster
44.0%
Westminster +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $51,982 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $76,653 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.8% | Westminster + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 44.0% | Westminster + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Westminster
$528,447
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $528,447 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 512 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 3234 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Westminster
16.1%
Westminster +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Westminster
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Westminster
11.1%
Westminster +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.1% | Westminster + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 11.1% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 18.7% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.1% | Westminster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, 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 512 in Westminster. Westminster has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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