Bakersfield 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)
Bakersfield, CA
California · Population: 408,366
- Median HH Income$77,397
- Median Home Price$396,712
- Unemployment7.0%
- Bachelor's+23.3%
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
Bakersfield
408,366
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
276,397
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Bakersfield
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Bakersfield
31.9
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Bakersfield
19.9%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Bakersfield
46.9%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Bakersfield
6.2%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Bakersfield
7.8%
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Hispanic
Bakersfield
53.6%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
12.7%
Spanish at Home
Bakersfield
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 408,366 | 276,397 | Bakersfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 | Bakersfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 10.5% | Bakersfield + |
| White | 46.9% | 45.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Black | 6.2% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 8.2% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 53.6% | 12.7% | Bakersfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Bakersfield
$77,397
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Bakersfield
$32,956
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Bakersfield
$77,230
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Bakersfield
7.0%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Bakersfield
16.0%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Bakersfield
23.3%
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,397 | $48,050 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,956 | $30,995 | Bakersfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0% | 7.2% | Bakersfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.0% | 27.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.3% | 30.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Bakersfield
$396,712
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Bakersfield
60.2%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $396,712 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 42.7% | Bakersfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
503
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
2388
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Bakersfield, 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
Bakersfield
34.5%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
12.4%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Bakersfield
19.6%
Buffalo
19.1%
Buffalo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
15.3%
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
16.9%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Bakersfield
13.4%
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.5% | 38.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.4% | Bakersfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 19.1% | Buffalo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 16.5% | Bakersfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
64.0°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Bakersfield
8.0 in
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.0°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 8.0 in | 40.5 in | Bakersfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Bakersfield
7.9 µg/m³
Bakersfield +
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Bakersfield
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Bakersfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Bakersfield
25.1 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Bakersfield, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Bakersfield leads in median household income at $77,397, 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 Bakersfield. Bakersfield has a lower unemployment rate at 7.0%, and Bakersfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Bakersfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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