Median rent is 4% lower in Buffalo ($989/mo vs $1,025/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo, where the median home runs $152,300 versus $169,200. Households earn more in Cheektowaga ($66,293 vs $48,050 a year). Overall, the two cities have a nearly identical cost of living index (94.0).
City A
Buffalo, NY
City B
Cheektowaga, NY
How much would you need to earn in Cheektowaga, NY to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo, NY?
Equivalent salary in Cheektowaga, NY
$75,000
Costs are about the same in both cities.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Buffalo
New York
Cheektowaga
New York
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $989/mo in Buffalo and $1,025/mo in Cheektowaga. Median home values are within 10% of each other: $152,300 in Buffalo and $169,200 in Cheektowaga.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% versus 10.90% in New York, so Cheektowaga is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 4.00% in New York; Cheektowaga has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Buffalo
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Cheektowaga
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for Buffalo (avg AQI 20.0) but not yet for Cheektowaga.
Pick Cheektowaga if you prioritize higher median household income ($66,293/yr).
Is Buffalo cheaper than Cheektowaga?
Buffalo is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.0 versus 94.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Buffalo.
How much is rent in Buffalo vs Cheektowaga?
Median rent is $989/mo in Buffalo, NY and $1,025/mo in Cheektowaga, NY. Buffalo, NY has the lower rent by about 4%.
Which has higher salaries — Buffalo or Cheektowaga?
Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $66,293 in Cheektowaga, NY. Cheektowaga, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Buffalo or Cheektowaga?
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% and New York's is 10.90%. Cheektowaga, NY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Cheektowaga to match my Buffalo income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Buffalo, NY is equivalent to roughly $100,000 in Cheektowaga, NY (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology