Melville, NY vs Niagara Falls, NY

The cost of living difference between Melville, NY and Niagara Falls, NY is dramatic. Niagara Falls is 219.4% cheaper than Melville, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Melville has a cost index of 209 while Niagara Falls sits at 66, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Melville is $3,501/month compared to $784/month in Niagara Falls — a 347% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Niagara Falls is more affordable at $104,400 median vs $778,400.

Median household income in Melville is $155,675 compared to $48,535 in Niagara Falls (+220.7%). While Melville is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Melville spend roughly 27% of their income on rent, more than the 19.4% in Niagara Falls.

Climate-wise, Melville is notably warmer with an average of 53.4°F compared to 47.7°F in Niagara Falls. Melville receives more rainfall at 38.3" per year compared to 33" in Niagara Falls.