Buffalo NY vs Fremont 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%
Fremont, CA
California · Population: 228,518
- Median HH Income$176,350
- Median Home Price$1,538,830
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+62.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Fremont
228,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Fremont
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Fremont
38.8
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Fremont
50.1%
Fremont +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Fremont
19.4%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Fremont
2.9%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Fremont
62.5%
Fremont +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Fremont
12.9%
Fremont +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Fremont
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 228,518 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.8 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 50.1% | Fremont + |
| White | 45.4% | 19.4% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 62.5% | Fremont + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 12.9% | Fremont + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Fremont
$176,350
Fremont +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Fremont
$73,378
Fremont +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Fremont
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Fremont
4.3%
Fremont +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Fremont
5.1%
Fremont +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Fremont
62.7%
Fremont +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $176,350 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $73,378 | Fremont + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.3% | Fremont + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 5.1% | Fremont + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 62.7% | Fremont + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Fremont
$1,538,830
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Fremont
60.2%
Fremont +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $1,538,830 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 60.2% | Fremont + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Fremont
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Fremont
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fremont, 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%
Fremont
17.3%
Fremont +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Fremont
9.8%
Fremont +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Fremont
12.7%
Fremont +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Fremont
4.9%
Fremont +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Fremont
13.9%
Fremont +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Fremont
7.3%
Fremont +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 17.3% | Fremont + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.8% | Fremont + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 12.7% | Fremont + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 4.9% | Fremont + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.9% | Fremont + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 7.3% | Fremont + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Fremont
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Fremont
16.7 in
Fremont +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 59.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 16.7 in | Fremont + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Fremont
7.9 µg/m³
Fremont +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Fremont
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fremont + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Fremont
33.9 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Fremont, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 33.9 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fremont leads in median household income at $176,350, 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 Fremont. Fremont has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fremont has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fremont scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.3%.
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