Buffalo, NY vs Merced, 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
Merced
64.3
#1702 nationally
Buffalo leads in walk score (66 vs 42). Merced leads in median household income ($59,233 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 121).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Merced, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 64.3 (#1702) |
| Population | 276,807 | 93,692 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $397,570 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $59,233 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 27 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 42 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 21.5 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 121 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | R+4.4 |
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
64.3 Score
Merced, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$397,570
Population
93,692
Crime
High
Walk Score
42
Pacific
View Merced, CA →