Buffalo, IA vs Garner, IA

Buffalo, IA and Garner, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.5% difference in their overall index. Buffalo scores 66 while Garner scores 69 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Buffalo is $821/month compared to $791/month in Garner — a 4% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Garner has cheaper rent, Buffalo actually has lower median home values ($120,400 vs $162,100).

Median household income in Buffalo is $74,773 compared to $68,964 in Garner (+8.4%). 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 Buffalo spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 13.8% in Garner.