Berkeley 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
Buffalo
34.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
10.5%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
45.4%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
8.2%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
Buffalo
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 276,397 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 10.5% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 45.4% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 32.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 8.2% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 12.7% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
Buffalo
$48,050
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
Buffalo
$30,995
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
27.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
30.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $48,050 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $30,995 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $77,425 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 7.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 27.4% | Berkeley + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 30.3% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
42.7%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $241,380 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 42.7% | Berkeley + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
| Metric | Berkeley, 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
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
38.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
Buffalo
16.5%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 38.4% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.4% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 19.1% | Berkeley + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.4% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 16.3% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 16.5% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
Berkeley +
Buffalo
40.5 in
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | 48.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 40.5 in | Berkeley + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
Buffalo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | Buffalo, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 21.6 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 Berkeley. Berkeley has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
Compare More Cities
Berkeley, CA vs New York, NYBerkeley, CA vs Los Angeles, CABerkeley, CA vs Chicago, ILBerkeley, CA vs Houston, TXBerkeley, CA vs Phoenix, AZBerkeley, CA vs Philadelphia, PA