Buffalo, NY vs Lancaster, 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
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 29). Lancaster leads in median household income ($71,367 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 126).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 276,807 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 22.9 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 126 |
| 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-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →
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