Buffalo, IA vs Peterson, IA

Buffalo, IA and Peterson, IA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2% difference in their overall index. Buffalo scores 66 while Peterson scores 65 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 $850/month in Peterson — a 3% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Buffalo has cheaper rent, Peterson actually has lower median home values ($86,700 vs $120,400).

Median household income in Buffalo is $74,773 compared to $76,875 in Peterson (-2.7%). Peterson 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 13.3% in Peterson.