Buffalo 68 Good
Buffalo Livability #181 ranked city in Missouri#9,481 ranked city in the USARanks better than 67% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Buffalo

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    A majority of amenities are not ideally situated within a reasonable walking distance, which may lead residents to rely on a vehicle or public transportation.

  • Commute Commute

    Public transportation is not readily available in this area and the average commute time to work could also be longer than the national average.

  • Employment Employment

    A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.

  • Schools Schools

    Lower than average education levels, poor reading and math scores, as well as the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools could all be factors in the low schools score.

What's it like Living in Buffalo?

Located in the state of Missouri, Buffalo is a smaller city with a population of 3,224 residents. At 94%, the majority of the Buffalo population is White; this is followed by 3% American Indian and Alaskan and 2% Asian. Buffalo tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 31 is far below the national average. On a daily basis, the typical American spends approximately 26 minutes on their one-way work commute. Reduced travel times not only contributes to increased overall happiness, but also affords more opportunities to cherish moments with family and friends. If you're living in Buffalo, your commute time will align closely with the national average, spanning a one-way duration of approximately 25 minutes.

Are you trying to figure out if living in Buffalo is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in Missouri, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, health & safety, employment, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Buffalo and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Buffalo to Missouri and the national average.

The livability score in Buffalo is 69 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 73rd percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we can establish that Buffalo ranks very well for crime (A-) and housing (B). There are some categories that Buffalo does not rank well for, including: amenities (F), education (F) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to find out why.

The Buffalo unemployment rate of 1.7% has continued to decrease over the years and is now well below the national average. The result could lead to reduced poverty and inequality in the area, higher wages and increased economic growth. This is a positive sign in the overall health of the local economy.

For home buyers, real estate will be the largest purchase they will ever make and it will also be their most valuable asset. For renters, the monthly rent paid on their Buffalo apartments will most likely be their largest expense. Based on tangible metrics like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates, housing in this area has received a score that is well above the average of every other US city. A thriving real estate market can also generate strong local economic activity and job creation.

Buffalo real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Buffalo. Median real estate prices in Buffalo come in at $207,697, which is 16.8% lower than the Missouri average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Buffalo, the home price to income ratio is 6.2, which is 82.4% higher than the Missouri average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Buffalo

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Buffalo?

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Compare Buffalo, MO Livability

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      Buffalo transportation information

      Statistic Buffalo Missouri National
      Average one way commute25min23min26min
      Workers who drive to work79.4%81.6%76.4%
      Workers who carpool11.9%9.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.9%1.5%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.0%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk0.0%1.9%2.8%
      Working from home7.8%4.6%4.6%
      Source: The Buffalo, MO data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.