Buffalo, NY vs Irvine, 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
Irvine
67.2
#1452 nationally
Irvine leads in median household income ($116,519 vs $42,891). Irvine leads in school rating (9.5 vs 4.6). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 178).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 67.2 (#1452) |
| Population | 276,807 | 307,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $1,517,431 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $116,519 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 25.8 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 44 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Very Low |
| School Rating | 4.6 | 9.5 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 178 |
| 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+
67.2 Score
Irvine, CA
Master-planned perfection in Southern California
Median Home
$1,517,431
Population
307,670
Crime
Very Low
Schools
A+
Pacific
View Irvine, CA →