Buffalo NY vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Buffalo
276,397
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
129,239
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Buffalo
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
Buffalo
34.3
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
Buffalo
10.5%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
Buffalo
45.4%
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
Buffalo
32.9%
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
Buffalo
8.2%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
Buffalo
12.7%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
Buffalo
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,397 | 129,239 | Buffalo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.5 | Buffalo + |
| Foreign Born | 10.5% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 45.4% | 31.9% | Buffalo + |
| Black | 32.9% | 2.1% | Buffalo + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.7% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Buffalo
$48,050
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
Buffalo
$30,995
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Buffalo
$77,425
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Buffalo
7.2%
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poverty Rate
Buffalo
27.4%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
Buffalo
30.3%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,050 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,995 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $77,230 | Buffalo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.2% | 4.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Buffalo
$241,380
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
Buffalo
42.7%
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $241,380 | $720,443 | Buffalo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.7% | 41.2% | Buffalo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
434
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Buffalo
1736
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
13.4%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Buffalo
19.1%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
9.4%
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.3%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Buffalo
16.5%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.4% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 10.4% | Buffalo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
48.3°F
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Buffalo
40.5 in
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.3°F | 59.2°F | Buffalo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.5 in | 32.2 in | Santa Rosa + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Buffalo
8.1 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Buffalo
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Buffalo
21.6 min
Buffalo +
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.2 min | Buffalo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. Santa Rosa has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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