Anaheim CA vs Buffalo NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Anaheim, CA
California · Population: 344,553
- Median HH Income$90,583
- Median Home Price$952,227
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Anaheim
344,553
Anaheim +
Buffalo
276,397
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anaheim
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Anaheim
35.9
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Foreign Born
Anaheim
35.2%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Anaheim
41.2%
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Black
Anaheim
2.5%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Anaheim
18.6%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
8.2%
Hispanic
Anaheim
52.5%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Anaheim
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 344,553 | 276,397 | Anaheim + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 34.3 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 35.2% | 10.5% | Anaheim + |
| White | 41.2% | 45.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 2.5% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 18.6% | 8.2% | Anaheim + |
| Hispanic | 52.5% | 12.7% | Anaheim + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anaheim
$90,583
Anaheim +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Anaheim
$36,541
Anaheim +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anaheim
$77,230
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Anaheim
5.5%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Anaheim
12.5%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anaheim
28.7%
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,583 | $48,050 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,541 | $30,995 | Anaheim + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 7.2% | Anaheim + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 27.4% | Anaheim + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.7% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anaheim
$952,227
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Anaheim
45.9%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $952,227 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.9% | 42.7% | Anaheim + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
503
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anaheim
2388
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 434 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1736 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
26.8%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
12.2%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anaheim
18.0%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
14.7%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
15.4%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
16.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anaheim
11.0%
Anaheim +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.8% | 38.4% | Anaheim + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 13.4% | Anaheim + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 19.1% | Anaheim + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 16.3% | Anaheim + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 16.5% | Anaheim + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
67.1°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anaheim
13.4 in
Anaheim +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 67.1°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.4 in | 40.5 in | Anaheim + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anaheim
7.9 µg/m³
Anaheim +
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anaheim
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Anaheim + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anaheim
30.6 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Anaheim, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.6 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anaheim leads in median household income at $90,583, while buffalo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,380. On public safety, Buffalo is safer with a violent crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Anaheim. Anaheim has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Anaheim has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Anaheim scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.8%.
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