Lackawanna, NY vs Niagara Falls, NY

Lackawanna, NY and Niagara Falls, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 4.6% difference in their overall index. Lackawanna scores 69 while Niagara Falls scores 66 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 Lackawanna is $823/month compared to $784/month in Niagara Falls — a 5% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Niagara Falls is more affordable at $104,400 median vs $126,500.

Median household income in Lackawanna is $48,185 compared to $48,535 in Niagara Falls (-0.7%). Niagara Falls offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Lackawanna spend roughly 20.5% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Niagara Falls.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.8°F vs 47.7°F). Lackawanna receives more rainfall at 40.7" per year compared to 33" in Niagara Falls.