Buffalo, NY vs San Mateo, 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
San Mateo
63
#1808 nationally
San Mateo leads in median household income ($149,152 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 249). Buffalo leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 28.5 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | San Mateo, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 63 (#1808) |
| Population | 276,807 | 101,327 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $1,685,162 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $149,152 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 28.5 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 68 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 6.7 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 249 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | D+50.3 |
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 Score
San Mateo, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,685,162
Population
101,327
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
68
Pacific
View San Mateo, CA →
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