Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Buffalo, NY
VS
Redding, CA
🏆 Redding leads 14 of 23 categories
Buffalo
New York
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$46,184
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High
Population
276,688 ✓ Larger
Redding
California
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,323 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
170⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
93,327
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Buffalo, NY
Pros
Homes cost $211k less ($132,100 vs $343,000)
Rent averages $336/mo less ($942 vs $1,278)
Cooler summers — July highs near 80°F vs 100°F
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Redding
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.4)
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Redding by $21,139/yr
Violent crime (706.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3809.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (7.0% vs 5.9%)
Redding, CA
Pros
Households earn $21,139 more per year on average
8% less violent crime than Buffalo
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.9%)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 32°F
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $343,000
Violent crime (647.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Buffalo
Hot summers — July highs average 100°F
Key Differences at a Glance
Buffalo
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 94.4 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Buffalo
Median Home Value
$211k less
$132,100 vs $343,000
Redding
Median Income
$21,139
$67,323 vs $46,184/yr
Redding
Violent Crime
8% lower
647.8 vs 706.2 per 100k
Redding
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.9% vs 7.0% unemployment
Redding
Summer Heat
19.7°F warmer
July avg high 99.9°F vs 80.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Redding, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.4 ✓ Cheaper | 102.8⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $132,100 ✓ Lower | $343,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 ✓ Lower | $1,278 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $67,323 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.0%⚠ High | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.6 min | 16.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.9% ✓ Higher | 6.9% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 184⚠ High | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High | 170⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 181⚠ High | 83 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (100) ✓ Better | C (77) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 10.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 20.4:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% ✓ Higher | 26.4% |
| High School or Higher | 86.2% | 92.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | BUFFALO CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Redding Elementary |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 32.1°F | 57.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 80.2°F | 99.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.8" ✓ Drier | 41.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 95.4" | 0.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 276,688 ✓ Larger | 93,327 |
| Median Age | 33.9 | 38.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.6% | 54.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.3% | 22.5% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.4% | 19.4% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Buffalo's cost of living index is 94.4 vs Redding's 102.8 (US average = 100).
Buffalo is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Redding leads 14 of 23 categories. Buffalo wins 9 and Redding wins 14. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Buffalo to Redding or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($132,100 vs $343,000 median home), income ($46,184 vs $67,323), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Buffalo, NY and Redding, CA are about 2,224 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.