Buffalo NY vs Chula Vista CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Buffalo, NY
New York · Population: 276,397
- Median HH Income$48,050
- Median Home Price$241,380
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Chula Vista
65.7%
Chula Vista +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 8,933 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.9 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 45.4% | 65.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Black | 32.9% | 0.7% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 0.7% | Buffalo + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Chula Vista
$49,562
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $104,238 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $49,562 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 26.9% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $849,245 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 503 | Buffalo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 2388 | Buffalo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
38.4%
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Chula Vista
11.4%
Chula Vista +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Chula Vista
16.0%
Chula Vista +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Chula Vista
9.6%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.4% | Chula Vista + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.0% | Chula Vista + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 12.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.6% | Chula Vista + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 63.5°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.9 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, 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 Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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