Buffalo, NY vs Carson, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Buffalo
74.2
#613 nationally
Carson
63.8
#1737 nationally
Carson leads in median household income ($103,045 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 154). Buffalo leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 27.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Carson, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 63.8 (#1737) |
| Population | 276,807 | 91,139 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $796,912 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $103,045 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 27.6 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 55 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 11.5 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 154 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+32.9 |
C
74.2 Score
Buffalo, NY
Queen City rising
Median Home
$249,040
Population
276,807
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Northeast
View Buffalo, NY →
D
63.8 Score
Carson, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$796,912
Population
91,139
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
55
Pacific
View Carson, CA →