Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arlington, TX
VS
Buffalo, NY
🏆 Arlington leads 15 of 23 categories
Arlington
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,736 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
393,469 ✓ Larger
Buffalo
New York
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
276,688
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arlington, TX
Pros
Households earn $25,552 more per year on average
32% less violent crime than Buffalo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 32°F
Cons
Violent crime (482.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Buffalo
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $119k less ($132,100 vs $251,300)
Rent averages $355/mo less ($942 vs $1,297)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 96°F
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Arlington
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Cons
Median income trails Arlington by $25,552/yr
Violent crime (706.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3809.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 5.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Arlington
Median Income
$25,552
$71,736 vs $46,184/yr
Arlington
Violent Crime
32% lower
482.9 vs 706.2 per 100k
Arlington
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.6% vs 7.0% unemployment
Arlington
Summer Heat
15.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 80.2°F
Buffalo
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$119k less
$132,100 vs $251,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Buffalo, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $251,300 | $132,100 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,297 | $942 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,736 ✓ Higher | $46,184 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.0%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 7.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 184⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 186⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 181⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B (100) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.4% ✓ Higher | 30.0% |
| High School or Higher | 85.9% | 86.2% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ARLINGTON ISD | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.9°F ✓ Warmer | 32.1°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 80.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 40.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.8" ✓ Less | 95.4" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 393,469 ✓ Larger | 276,688 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 42.6% |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 22.3% |
| Over 65 | 11.1% | 13.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arlington's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Buffalo's 94.4 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Arlington leads 15 of 23 categories. Arlington wins 15 and Buffalo wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arlington to Buffalo or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($251,300 vs $132,100 median home), income ($71,736 vs $46,184), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arlington, TX and Buffalo, NY are about 1,216 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.