Buffalo NY vs Roseville 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%
Roseville, CA
California · Population: 50,340
- Median HH Income$72,248
- Median Home Price$650,823
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+21.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Roseville
50,340
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Roseville
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Roseville
44.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Roseville
58.6%
Roseville +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Roseville
7.8%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Roseville
0.6%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Roseville
64.9%
Roseville +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Roseville
29.4%
Roseville +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 50,340 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 44.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 58.6% | Roseville + |
| White | 45.4% | 7.8% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 0.6% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 64.9% | Roseville + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 29.4% | Roseville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Roseville
$72,248
Roseville +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Buffalo +
Roseville
$27,237
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Roseville
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Roseville
5.0%
Roseville +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Roseville
14.1%
Roseville +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Buffalo +
Roseville
21.9%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $72,248 | Roseville + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $27,237 | Buffalo + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 5.0% | Roseville + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.1% | Roseville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 21.9% | Buffalo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Roseville
$650,823
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Roseville
48.2%
Roseville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $650,823 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 48.2% | Roseville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Roseville
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Roseville
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roseville, 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%
Roseville
27.2%
Roseville +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Roseville
9.4%
Roseville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Roseville
15.8%
Roseville +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Roseville
5.6%
Roseville +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Buffalo +
Roseville
16.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Roseville
9.5%
Roseville +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 27.2% | Roseville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 9.4% | Roseville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 15.8% | Roseville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 5.6% | Roseville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 16.6% | Buffalo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 9.5% | Roseville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Roseville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Roseville
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roseville, 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
Roseville
7.9 µg/m³
Roseville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Roseville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Roseville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Roseville
30.5 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Roseville, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 30.5 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roseville leads in median household income at $72,248, 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 Roseville. Roseville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Roseville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Roseville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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