Buffalo, NY vs Ontario, 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
Ontario
63.8
#1740 nationally
Ontario leads in median household income ($78,070 vs $42,891). Buffalo leads in cost of living index (88 vs 143). Buffalo leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 31.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Ontario, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 74.2 (#613) | 63.8 (#1740) |
| Population | 276,807 | 182,457 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $249,040 | $671,649 |
| Median Household Income | $42,891 | $78,070 |
| Average Commute | 22.4 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 66 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate-High | 7.5 |
| School Rating | 4.6 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 88 | 143 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+9.7 | R+2.1 |
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
63.8 Score
Ontario, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$671,649
Population
182,457
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Ontario, CA →