Buffalo NY vs Irvine 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%
Irvine, CA
California · Population: 308,160
- Median HH Income$129,647
- Median Home Price$1,566,872
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+70.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Irvine
308,160
Irvine +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Irvine
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Irvine
33.9
Irvine +
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Irvine
39.3%
Irvine +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Irvine
38.7%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Irvine
2.0%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Irvine
44.1%
Irvine +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Irvine
11.3%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Irvine
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 308,160 | Irvine + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.9 | Irvine + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 39.3% | Irvine + |
| White | 45.4% | 38.7% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.0% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 44.1% | Irvine + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 11.3% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Irvine
$129,647
Irvine +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Irvine
$62,149
Irvine +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Irvine
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Irvine
5.5%
Irvine +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Irvine
11.7%
Irvine +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Irvine
70.6%
Irvine +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $129,647 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $62,149 | Irvine + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.5% | Irvine + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.7% | Irvine + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 70.6% | Irvine + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Irvine
$1,566,872
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Irvine
43.8%
Irvine +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $1,566,872 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 43.8% | Irvine + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Irvine
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Irvine
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, 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%
Irvine
19.2%
Irvine +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Irvine
8.3%
Irvine +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Irvine
15.4%
Irvine +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Irvine
5.0%
Irvine +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Irvine
15.2%
Irvine +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Irvine
6.9%
Irvine +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 19.2% | Irvine + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.3% | Irvine + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.4% | Irvine + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.0% | Irvine + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.2% | Irvine + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 6.9% | Irvine + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Irvine
65.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Irvine
14.3 in
Irvine +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 65.3°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 14.3 in | Irvine + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Irvine
7.9 µg/m³
Irvine +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Irvine
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Irvine + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Irvine
26.0 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Irvine, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 26.0 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Irvine leads in median household income at $129,647, 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 Irvine. Irvine has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Irvine has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Irvine scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.2%.
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