Buffalo, IA vs Onawa, IA

Buffalo is moderately more affordable than Onawa, with a 9.1% lower cost of living index. Buffalo scores 66 compared to 73 for Onawa, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Onawa can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Buffalo is $821/month compared to $1,005/month in Onawa — a 18% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Buffalo is more affordable at $120,400 median vs $125,700.

Median household income in Buffalo is $74,773 compared to $54,659 in Onawa (+36.8%). 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 Buffalo spend roughly 13.2% of their income on rent, less than the 22.1% in Onawa.