Buffalo, NY vs Oakland, 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
Oakland
62
#1880 nationally
Oakland leads in median household income ($85,459 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 155). Buffalo leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 32.1 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Oakland, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 62 (#1880) |
| Population | 276,807 | 433,823 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $717,798 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $85,459 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 32.1 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 73 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | High |
| School Rating | 4.6 | 4.8 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 155 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+53.6 |
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-
62 Score
Oakland, CA
Gritty, diverse, and full of culture
Median Home
$717,798
Population
433,823
Crime
High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Oakland, CA →