Buffalo is a small town of 3,319 in Missouri, with a median household income of $27,332
and a 2.8% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 89 (US average = 100), which is
11% below the national average.
Strengths:
Buffalo stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B).
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Buffalo is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Buffalo city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 89.3
Buffalo's overall cost of living index is 89.3,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Buffalo costs roughly 11% less than the average American city.
Metric
Buffalo, MO
National Avg
Median Home Value
$97,600
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$587
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
38.7%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$27,332
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Buffalo's violent crime rate is 178.0 per 100,000 residents
— 53% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
178.0 /100k
Property Crime
1335.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Buffalo is served primarily by DALLAS CO. R-I.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Buffalo, MO
National Avg
School District
DALLAS CO. R-I
—
Elementary Schools
1
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
12.6:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
14.0%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
92.0%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Buffalo sees average highs of 42.6°F in January
and 88.9°F in July,
with 45.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 9.0 inches of snow per year.
Buffalo's cost of living index is 89, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Buffalo roughly 11% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $97,600 and median rent is $587/month.
Buffalo's violent crime rate is 178.0 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1335.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Buffalo are operated by DALLAS CO. R-I.
The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 12.6:1. 14.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Buffalo, MO has a population of 3,319, a median household income of $27,332, and an unemployment rate of 2.8%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Buffalo averages 42.6°F in January and 88.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.1 inches
with about 9.0 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
Buffalo, MO is covered by 1 ZIP code: 65622.
The population of Buffalo, Missouri is 3,319 with a median age of 41.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Buffalo: cost of living index 89 (100 = US average), median home $97,600, median household income $27,332, crime index 54 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Buffalo side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.