Buffalo, SD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 88% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Buffalo Safe?
Yes — Buffalo is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Buffalo has a crime rate that is 47% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 475.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 475
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
45% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 132
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
59% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Buffalo Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
56 | -44% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
55 | -45% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
33 | -67% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Buffalo Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Buffalo Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Buffalo zip codes.
Buffalo Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Buffalo, SD?
Buffalo, SD has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 475 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 132 chance for property crime. Buffalo has lower crime than 88% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Buffalo, SD safe to live in?
Buffalo is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Buffalo is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Buffalo?
The estimated violent crime rate in Buffalo is 210.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 475 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (46% below average); aggravated assault at 146.1 per 100K (46% below average); robbery at 41.7 per 100K (44% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Buffalo?
The estimated property crime rate in Buffalo is 758.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 59% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 132 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 149.1 per 100K (45% below average); larceny/theft at 456.1 per 100K (67% below average); vehicle theft at 153.7 per 100K (52% below average).
How does Buffalo crime compare to the national average?
Buffalo's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (40% below average), while larceny/theft is 67% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Buffalo has lower crime than 88% of them.
Is Buffalo safe to visit?
Buffalo is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 59% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Buffalo crime compare to the rest of South Dakota?
South Dakota as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Buffalo's crime rate is 47% below the national average, making it safer the typical South Dakota city.
What type of crime is most common in Buffalo?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Buffalo, with an estimated rate of 456.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 67% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (759 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (211 per 100K) in Buffalo, which is consistent with national trends.