Buffalo, IA vs Plainfield, IA

Plainfield is moderately more affordable than Buffalo, with a 5.8% lower cost of living index. Buffalo scores 66 compared to 62 for Plainfield, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Buffalo 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 $682/month in Plainfield — a 20% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Plainfield has cheaper rent, Buffalo actually has lower median home values ($120,400 vs $132,700).

Median household income in Buffalo is $74,773 compared to $75,500 in Plainfield (-1%). Plainfield 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, more than the 10.8% in Plainfield.