Buffalo, NY vs Hercules, 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
Hercules
63.3
#1776 nationally
Hercules leads in median household income ($125,880 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 29). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 171).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Hercules, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 63.3 (#1776) |
| Population | 276,807 | 26,582 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $743,984 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $125,880 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 40.4 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 4.6 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 171 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+38.0 |
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
63.3 Score
Hercules, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$743,984
Population
26,582
Crime
Moderate-Low
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Hercules, CA →