Buffalo, NY vs Costa Mesa, 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
Costa Mesa
60.6
#1929 nationally
Costa Mesa leads in median household income ($104,981 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 197). Costa Mesa leads in average commute (21.9 min vs 22.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Costa Mesa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 60.6 (#1929) |
| Population | 276,807 | 108,354 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $1,424,322 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $104,981 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 21.9 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 65 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 20.2 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 197 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+2.6 |
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-
60.6 Score
Costa Mesa, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,424,322
Population
108,354
Crime
High
Walk Score
65
Pacific
View Costa Mesa, CA →
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