Buffalo, NY vs Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
60.9
#1917 nationally
Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 173). Los Angeles leads in median household income ($74,891 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 31.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 60.9 (#1917) |
| Population | 276,807 | 3,822,238 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $946,268 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $74,891 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 31.4 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 68 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 4.6 | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 173 |
| 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-
60.9 Score
Los Angeles, CA
Entertainment capital of the world
Median Home
$946,268
Population
3,822,238
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Los Angeles, CA →
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