Buffalo NY vs Pasadena 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%
Pasadena, CA
California · Population: 67,231
- Median HH Income$220,408
- Median Home Price$1,215,642
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+82.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Pasadena
67,231
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Pasadena
42.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Pasadena
36.3%
Pasadena +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Pasadena
48.4%
Pasadena +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Pasadena
2.2%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Pasadena
36.1%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Buffalo +
Pasadena
7.1%
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 67,231 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 36.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 45.4% | 48.4% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.2% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 36.1% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 7.1% | Buffalo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Pasadena
$220,408
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Pasadena
$121,565
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Pasadena
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Pasadena
3.7%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Pasadena
5.4%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Pasadena
82.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $220,408 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $121,565 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 3.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 5.4% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 82.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Pasadena
$1,215,642
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Pasadena
54.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $1,215,642 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 54.2% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Pasadena
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Pasadena
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pasadena, 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%
Pasadena
24.2%
Pasadena +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Pasadena
10.7%
Pasadena +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Pasadena
14.9%
Pasadena +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Pasadena
8.2%
Pasadena +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Pasadena
15.4%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Pasadena
9.2%
Pasadena +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 24.2% | Pasadena + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.7% | Pasadena + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 14.9% | Pasadena + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 8.2% | Pasadena + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.4% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.2% | Pasadena + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Pasadena
67.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Pasadena
21.2 in
Pasadena +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 67.0°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 21.2 in | Pasadena + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Pasadena
7.9 µg/m³
Pasadena +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Pasadena
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Pasadena + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Pasadena
24.8 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Pasadena, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 24.8 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $220,408, 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 Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.7%, and Pasadena has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Pasadena scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
Buffalo, NY vs New York, NYBuffalo, NY vs Los Angeles, CABuffalo, NY vs Chicago, ILBuffalo, NY vs Houston, TXBuffalo, NY vs Phoenix, AZBuffalo, NY vs Philadelphia, PA