Buffalo NY vs Sacramento 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 45.4% | 36.8% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 12.4% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Sacramento
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Sacramento
6.2%
Sacramento +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $480,548 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sacramento, 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%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Sacramento
17.9%
Sacramento +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Sacramento
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.9% | Sacramento + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.0% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Sacramento
18.5 in
Sacramento +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 61.0°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 18.5 in | Sacramento + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 27.0 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 Sacramento. Sacramento has a lower unemployment rate at 6.2%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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