Buffalo, WV Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Buffalo Safe?
Yes — Buffalo is very safe
A very safe city with well below-average crime rates overall.
Buffalo has a crime rate that is 52% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 572.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 572
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
54% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 171
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
68% 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
|
41 | -59% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
45 | -55% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
24 | -76% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
23 | -77% | 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, WV?
Buffalo, WV has a crime safety grade of A as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 52% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 572 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 171 chance for property crime. Buffalo has lower crime than 98% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Buffalo, WV 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 174.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 54% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 572 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.1 per 100K (59% below average); aggravated assault at 130.6 per 100K (51% below average); robbery at 27.0 per 100K (63% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Buffalo?
The estimated property crime rate in Buffalo is 585.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 68% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 171 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 180.2 per 100K (33% below average); larceny/theft at 331.1 per 100K (76% below average); vehicle theft at 74.1 per 100K (77% below average).
How does Buffalo crime compare to the national average?
Buffalo's overall crime rate is 52% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (33% below average), while vehicle theft is 77% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Buffalo has lower crime than 98% of them.
Is Buffalo safe to visit?
Buffalo is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 68% 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 West Virginia?
West Virginia as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Buffalo's crime rate is 52% below the national average, making it safer the typical West Virginia city.
What type of crime is most common in Buffalo?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Buffalo, with an estimated rate of 331.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 76% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (585 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (175 per 100K) in Buffalo, which is consistent with national trends.