Buffalo NY vs Norwalk 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%
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Norwalk
100,713
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Norwalk
36.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Norwalk
24.0%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Norwalk
4.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 100,713 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 32.6% | Norwalk + |
| White | 45.4% | 24.0% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 4.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 13.8% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 69.5% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Norwalk
$31,989
Norwalk +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Norwalk
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Norwalk
21.3%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $98,709 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $31,989 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.6% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 9.7% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 21.3% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Norwalk
$765,319
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $765,319 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 68.1% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Norwalk
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Norwalk
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norwalk, 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%
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Norwalk
15.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 26.9% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 12.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.1% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 15.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.3% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 10.5% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Norwalk
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Norwalk
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Norwalk
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Norwalk
32.1 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Norwalk, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 32.1 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
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