Anaheim’s family-friendly attractions, proximity to other known cities, and spectacular weather make it an ideal place to live with your family. In comparison, Buffalo is best for people who prefer engaging in outdoor activities, several public transportation modes, and a strong job market.
Anaheim, California, is most known for its Disneyland Resort, but the city also has a bustling environment because of its pleasant weather and low crime rate. Every year the Disneyland Resort draws millions of visitors, bringing in substantial revenue for the city. If you look for a secure and lovely town, this is the place to be.
Meanwhile, people relocate to Buffalo, New York, for various reasons, including education, job, affordability, and a change of environment. Buffalo, which is just slightly smaller than New York City in terms of population, manages to combine numerous big-city benefits. Buffalonians seldom complain about boredom because of the abundance of festivals, parks, and cultural facilities.
Both cities take pride in their competitive characteristics. If you’re thinking about relocating to Anaheim or Buffalo, here are some of their most important advantages and disadvantages to help you decide.
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What Are the Pros and Cons of Anaheim vs. Buffalo?
Anaheim and Buffalo have both quality schools and several outdoor activities to offer. Anaheim is proud of its central position and the weather, but its transportation and small job market are a downfall. In comparison, Buffalo shines primarily because of its substantial job opportunities and many transportation modes, but the snowy winter and crime rate are worth considering.
Living in Anaheim
Pros
- Outstanding institutions of higher learning
- Family-friendly attractions
- Proximity to other cities
- Spectacular weather
When you move to this city, you have access to over 70 public schools in Anaheim and several private schools, including Fairmont Preparatory Academy. Oxford Academy in Anaheim, California, is the state’s top high school and the 11th best in the United States.
The city also offers six alternative education institutions, including the Acaciawood Preparatory Academy, Fairmont Preparatory Academy, and Servite High School.
In Anaheim, there’s no shortage of family-friendly attractions. If you live in Anaheim, you can go to Disneyland whenever you want, but there are many other great places to take your kids.
Sailing Ship Columbia and Soarin’ Around the World at Disney California Adventure Park are just a few examples of the variety of attractions that you can find here. If you take your family to these sites, they will have a great time.
For kids 11 and above, the Flying Deck 1 Air Combat Center offers a realistic military aviation simulation experience. Also, there are roller coasters, a petting zoo, and a children’s theater in Adventure City.
Anaheim’s central position makes it easy for residents to travel to Long Beach, Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana. If you work in one of these places, you can commute from Anaheim to get there.
As a result of its central position, the city is also more enjoyable. Even though the town is not located on the coast, it has easy access to the beach and the Pacific Ocean.
Anaheim, California, is one of the most pleasant locations in the state. Getting plenty of sunshine and very little precipitation is one of its best assets. Even if snow enthusiasts may be disappointed, the nice weather provides lots of opportunities for fun in the sun and fresh air.
Cons
- Transportation concerns
- The job market is small
The public transportation system in Anaheim is entirely inadequate. Anaheim is a car-dependent city, so getting about will be challenging if you don’t have your car.
Furthermore, given the city’s yearly average of around 18 million visitors, it is fair to expect significant traffic in Anaheim. It substantially impacts traffic congestion both inside the city and across the county. The city’s reliance on automobiles and closeness to Los Angeles worsen the road situation in this area.
There are just a few sectors in which individuals can find employment. Anaheim’s economy relies heavily on the travel and tourist industry, which provides most of the city’s employment opportunities. Due to a lack of job opportunities, the unemployment rate is higher than in other California cities.
Additionally, the neighborhood has a lower-than-average per capita income of $26,185.
Living in Buffalo
Pros
- Excellent education opportunities
- Fascinating outdoor activities
- Buffalo Harbor State Park
- Hoyt Lake
- Tifft Nature Preserve
- Wilkeson Pointe
- Several public transportation modes
- Strong job market
The Buffalo City School District, Williamsville Central School District, Clarence Central School District, and Amherst Central School District are some of Buffalo’s excellent public school districts.
Buffalo places a high value on education, with school-aged children accounting for little over 14% of the population.
The University at Buffalo, recognized among the best universities, is a popular option among those looking for higher education possibilities. After one year in Buffalo, new residents are eligible for in-state tuition. Bryant and Stratton College, Canisius College, and SUNY Buffalo State College are some of the city’s other higher education options.
Buffalo, adjacent to the lake, welcomes the great outdoors with its enormous park system, several waterfalls, scenic hiking paths, and stunning natural features. Buffalo provides a range of engaging outdoor activities that appeal to everybody, whether you like bicycling, fishing, camping, or rafting.
Check out these Buffalo, NY outdoor activities:
The Niagra Frontier Transportation Authority manages public transportation in the Buffalo and Niagara region. Buffalo is known for its high walkability ratings near to the city center, and a considerable majority of residents do not own cars. As a result, many inhabitants choose to use the city’s public transit system.
The Buffalo Metro Rail is a popular mode of transportation that travels from Downtown Buffalo to The University at Buffalo. Several bus lines operate every 15 minutes to the city’s most popular locations.
If you’re relocating to Buffalo in search of work, you should be able to locate something suitable in no time. Buffalo, which has a low unemployment rate of 5.7 %, has had consistent job growth throughout the years and continues to thrive. Instead of depending on a single business to drive the city’s economy, Buffalo has a broad set of industries that contribute to the city’s development and prosperity.
Buffalo’s most significant sectors are manufacturing, technology, healthcare, retail, education, financial services, and hospitality. M&T Bank, Delaware North, Catholic Health Systems, Kaleida Health, and Rich Products are prominent employers in the region.
Even though employees in Buffalo have poor earning potential, there is no scarcity of career options.
Cons
- Snowy winter weather
- Higher crime rate than the national average
According to the city’s humid and continental climate, Buffalo residents may anticipate warm and sunny summers and frigid and snowy winters.
Buffalo has 155 days of sunshine each year and gets an average of 39 inches of rain and 85 inches of snow. Because the national average for snowfall is just 28 inches per year, snowstorms in Buffalo might be challenging for newcomers. Make sure you have a good snow shovel and prepare for ice conditions before moving.
While Buffalo has a reasonable amount of safe sections and pleasant neighborhoods, the city’s crime rate is higher than the national average, which you should take into account. Buffalo has an 88 % higher crime rate than the national average, making it one of the most dangerous cities in America.
Buffalo has 174% more violent crimes and 73% more property crimes than the national average. If you’re looking for a house in Buffalo, make sure you do your homework beforehand to ensure you’re moving to a safe area.
Anaheim or Buffalo – Which Is Less Expensive?
According to the cost of living index, Buffalo is 42.5% less expensive than Anaheim on average. The most significant component in the cost of living difference is the median home cost. The median home cost is 75% lower in Buffalo.
The table below presents the cost-of-living indices written in percentage:
| Living expenses | Anaheim | Buffalo |
| Housing | 257.1% | 36.9% |
| Food & Groceries | 102.5% | 98.5% |
| Health | 93.4% | 105.2% |
| Utilities | 97.4% | 107.1% |
| Transportation | 118% | 102.4% |
Data is 100 = US National Average
> 100 means more expensive than the national average
< 100 means cheaper than the national average
Housing Cost
Buffalo’s cost of housing is 85.6% less expensive than in Anaheim. Buffalo’s median home cost is only $183,100, whereas Anaheim has $762,700.
Utility Cost
Buffalo’s cost of utilities is 10.0% higher than in Anaheim. An 85-square-foot apartment in Buffalo costs $184.96 a month in essential services compared to $153.19 in Anaheim.
Food and Groceries Cost
The cost of food and groceries in Buffalo is 3.9% less expensive than in Anaheim. Buffalo offers white rice for $3.72 a kilo, but it costs $6.06 in Anaheim.
Transportation Cost
Buffalo’s transportation cost is 13.2% less expensive than in Anaheim. For example, Buffalo’s regular monthly pass price is only $69.00, lower than the $75.00 of Anaheim.
Healthcare Cost
Buffalo’s healthcare cost is 1.4% higher than in Anaheim. The calculation contains health indexes, local insurance premium prices, and the most common surgeries and medical procedures performed in retirement.
Is Anaheim Bigger Than Buffalo?
Based on the 2020 data, Anaheim has 19.74% more residents than Buffalo. But Buffalo is 3.05% bigger than Anaheim in terms of land area.
Anaheim, a more significant Los Angeles metropolitan area component, is in Orange County and has 50.88 square miles and 346,824 people. It is the most inhabited city in Orange County, the 10th most populated in California, and the 56th in the United States.
Conversely, New York’s 2nd largest city, Buffalo, serves as the county seat of neighboring Erie County. With 278,349 residents in 52.48 square miles, Buffalo is the 76th most populated American city, according to the 2020 census. It is on the Canadian side of the border with Southern Ontario, on the shores of Lake Erie, near the mouth of the Niagara River.
Is Anaheim Safer Than Buffalo?
Based on recent crime reports, Anaheim is safer than Buffalo. With 100 to be the safest, Anaheim has a crime index of 14, whereas Buffalo has only 7. Also, Buffalo has a high crime rate of 38.44 per 1,000 residents, while Anaheim has a modest rate of 29.18.
In Buffalo, there were 10,701 crimes committed each year, including 8,077 property offenses and 2,624 violent offenses. As a result, it has recorded 260 crimes per square mile, significantly higher than the 36 of the state. In this city, the odds of being a violent and property crime victim are approximately 1 in 106 and 1 in 34, respectively.
Anaheim has just 10,122 yearly crimes, with 8,880 property crimes and 1,242 violent crimes. At 25.6/1000 residents for property offenses and 3.58/1000 residents for violent crimes, Anaheim has lower crime rates than Buffalo. With 199 crimes per square mile, your chances to be a property and violent crime victim are 1 in 39 and 1 in 279, respectively.
Is Anaheim Colder Than Buffalo?
Anaheim’s typical temperature ranges from 46°F to 85°F, while Buffalo has year-round temperatures of 19°F to 79°F. Thus, Buffalo is colder than Anaheim.
During the summertime, the weather in Buffalo is pleasant and sunny, while the winters are cold and icy. Throughout the year, the temperature ranges from 19°F to 79°F and seldom drops below 4°F or rises over 86°F.
Meanwhile, Anaheim has long, chilly winters after its dry summers. Lows of 39°F and highs of 94°F are uncommon in this city, which has an annual average temperature range of 46°F to 85°F.
The best time for outdoor activities in Anaheim and Buffalo is from late May to early October and late June to early September, respectively.
Is Anaheim Better Than Buffalo?
In Anaheim, the city’s livability index is at 62, whereas in Buffalo, the city’s score is at 63. In the absence of anything extraordinary, both towns were labeled “below average.” Despite this, the livability reports for each are somewhat varied in different categories.
Buffalo has a livability score of 63 out of 100, placing it in the 29th percentile of all cities in the United States. When you examine each category separately, you can discover that Buffalo does well in terms of cost of living (A-) and amenities (A+). Unfortunately, it does not perform well in some areas, including crime (F), education (F), weather (D-), and employment (F).
Anaheim’s livability rating of 66 out of 100 places it in the 47th percentile of all American cities. All livability factors, including weather (A+), were favorable in this city. However, there are three categories to be careful of in Anaheim: housing (D), cost of living (F), and education (F).
Anyone moving to Buffalo or Anaheim will have a wonderful time. Take your time and make an educated choice on where to live in both cities!
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