Buffalo, NY vs Sunnyvale, 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

vs

Sunnyvale

66.4

#1551 nationally

Sunnyvale leads in median household income ($168,924 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 205). Sunnyvale leads in school rating (8.6 vs 4.6).

Metric-by-Metric Breakdown

Metric Buffalo, NY Sunnyvale, CA
WhereAtHome Score 74.2 (#613) 66.4 (#1551)
Population 276,807 155,805
Typical Home Value (ZHVI) $249,040 $2,050,814
Median Household Income $42,891 $168,924
Average Commute 22.4 min 25.6 min
Walk Score 66 54
Crime Level Moderate-High Low
School Rating 4.6 8.6
Cost of Living Index 88 205
Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored D+9.7 D+40.0