Buffalo NY vs Wichita 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Buffalo +
Wichita
10.0%
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Wichita
4.9%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 10.0% | Buffalo + |
| White | 45.4% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 32.9% | 9.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 4.9% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Wichita
$61,860
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Wichita
5.7%
Wichita +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Wichita
15.9%
Wichita +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $61,860 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.7% | Wichita + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 15.9% | Wichita + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wichita, 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 +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Wichita
17.7%
Wichita +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Wichita
16.3%
Wichita +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 39.5% | Buffalo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.7% | Wichita + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.9% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 16.3% | Wichita + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 57.0°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Buffalo +
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wichita, 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
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Wichita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, 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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