Buffalo Center, IA vs Postville, IA

Buffalo Center is moderately more affordable than Postville, with a 11.1% lower cost of living index. Buffalo Center scores 59 compared to 66 for Postville, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Postville can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Buffalo Center is $646/month compared to $872/month in Postville — a 26% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Buffalo Center is more affordable at $93,800 median vs $100,300.

Median household income in Buffalo Center is $49,474 compared to $47,281 in Postville (+4.6%). Buffalo Center offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Buffalo Center spend roughly 15.7% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Postville.