Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Highlands Ranch, CO
🏆 Highlands Ranch leads 16 of 22 categories
Buffalo
New York
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
276,688 ✓ Larger
Highlands Ranch
Colorado
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$148,227 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
101,514
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $505k less ($132,100 vs $637,400)
Rent averages $1411/mo less ($942 vs $2,353)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Highlands Ranch
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 87°F
Cons
Median income trails Highlands Ranch by $102,043/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 3.4%)
Highlands Ranch, CO
Pros
Households earn $102,043 more per year on average
80% less violent crime than Buffalo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.6 pts lower (3.4%)
More college-educated — 65.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Violent crime is well below the national average (138.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 32°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $637,400
Higher rents — median is $2,353/mo
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Buffalo
Snowy winters — about 64" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$505k less
$132,100 vs $637,400
Highlands Ranch
Median Income
$102,043
$148,227 vs $46,184/yr
Highlands Ranch
Violent Crime
80% lower
138.1 vs 706.2 per 100k
Highlands Ranch
Unemployment
3.6 pp lower
3.4% vs 7.0% unemployment
Highlands Ranch
Summer Heat
7.1°F warmer
July avg high 87.3°F vs 80.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Highlands Ranch, CO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper | 105.5⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $637,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $2,353⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $148,227 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 3.4% ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min ✓ Shorter | 25.1 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% | 26.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | 48 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High | 36 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 65 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) | A- (114) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 65.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 98.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Douglas County School District No. Re 1 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F | 44.6°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" | 18.2" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 64.0" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 101,514 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 41.0 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 79.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% | 24.9% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 13.4% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Highlands Ranch's 105.5 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Highlands Ranch leads 16 of 22 categories. Buffalo wins 6 and Highlands Ranch wins 16. 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 Buffalo to Highlands Ranch or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $637,400 median home), income ($46,184 vs $148,227), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Highlands Ranch, CO are about 1,371 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.