Buffalo NY vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 91,535 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.9 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 45.4% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 32.9% | 4.9% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Santa Ana
6.1%
Santa Ana +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 6.1% | Santa Ana + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $865,610 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 28.8% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Santa Ana
18.7%
Santa Ana +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 18.7% | Santa Ana + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 20.7% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Santa Ana
13.6 in
Santa Ana +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 65.6°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 13.6 in | Santa Ana + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 28.0 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. Santa Ana has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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