Buffalo, NY vs Syracuse, NY

Buffalo, NY and Syracuse, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.3% difference in their overall index. Buffalo scores 76 while Syracuse scores 74 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 $989/month compared to $998/month in Syracuse — a 1% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Buffalo has cheaper rent, Syracuse actually has lower median home values ($125,100 vs $152,300).

Median household income in Buffalo is $48,050 compared to $45,845 in Syracuse (+4.8%). While Buffalo is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Buffalo spend roughly 24.7% of their income on rent, less than the 26.1% in Syracuse.