Arlington, SD vs Buffalo, SD

Buffalo is moderately more affordable than Arlington, with a 14.5% lower cost of living index. Arlington scores 67 compared to 58 for Buffalo, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Arlington can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Arlington is $836/month compared to $583/month in Buffalo — a 43% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Buffalo is more affordable at $112,500 median vs $122,400.

Median household income in Arlington is $67,083 compared to $81,607 in Buffalo (-17.8%). Buffalo offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Arlington spend roughly 15% of their income on rent, more than the 8.6% in Buffalo.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (43°F vs 45.5°F). Arlington receives more rainfall at 22.7" per year compared to 13.4" in Buffalo.