Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Buffalo, MN
11 neighborhoods ranked by safety, quiet living, air quality, affordability, and walkability — the factors that matter most for a comfortable retirement.
Best Neighborhoods for Retirees in Buffalo — Key Takeaways
The best neighborhood for retirees in Buffalo is Little Rock CDP with a Retiree Score of 88/100. Buffalo has 11 neighborhoods evaluated for retirement livability. The safest neighborhood is Redby CDP with a violent crime rate of 1.2 per 1,000 residents, 67% below the national average.
Buffalo has a population of 16,288, a median household income of $81,868, and a median home value of $260,500, which is 8% below the national average of $281,900.
Data sourced from the US Census Bureau, FBI Crime Data Explorer, EPA AirNow, DOT Noise Map, Walk Score, and FEMA. Last updated: March 2026.
Top 3 Neighborhoods for Retirees
| # | Neighborhood | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock CDP | 88 | ||
| White Earth CDP | 88 | ||
| Redby CDP | 84 | ||
4 | Ponemah CDP | 84 | |
5 | Vineland CDP | 81 | |
6 | Red Lake CDP | 81 | |
7 | St. John's University CDP | 77 | |
8 | Esko CDP | 71 | |
9 | Warsaw CDP | 71 | |
10 | Martin Lake CDP | 64 | |
11 | The Lakes CDP | 61 |
Rankings by Category
Top 5 neighborhoods in Buffalo for each retiree-relevant metric.
Lowest violent crime rate
- 1.2 per 1K
- 1.2 per 1K
- 1.2 per 1K
- 1.2 per 1K
- 1.2 per 1K
Lowest median home value
- $56,600
- $102,400
- $102,700
- $137,800
- $142,300
Lowest property crime rate
- 5.7 per 1K
- 5.7 per 1K
- 5.7 per 1K
- 5.7 per 1K
- 5.7 per 1K
Lowest poverty rate
- 1.2%
- 3.1%
- 3.3%
- 4.0%
- 23.5%
Highest median household income
- $112,969
- $111,607
- $100,227
- $85,833
- $74,196
Neighborhoods are ranked using the Retiree Score, a composite livability index specifically designed for retirees. It prioritizes the factors that matter most for a comfortable, safe, and healthy retirement:
- Safety (Violent Crime)
- 25% weight
- Quiet Living (Road Noise)
- 20% weight
- Air Quality (AQI)
- 20% weight
- Affordability (Home Value)
- 20% weight
- Walkability (Walk Score)
- 15% weight
Safety is weighted highest because personal security is the top concern for retirees. Quiet living and air quality reflect the importance of a healthy, peaceful environment. Affordability matters for those on fixed incomes, and walkability supports an active lifestyle without reliance on driving.
Data Sources: US Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR), EPA AirNow, DOT National Transportation Noise Map, Walk Score, and FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer. All data is updated on a rolling basis as new government releases become available.