Median rent is 27% lower in Buffalo ($1,046/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo, where the median home runs $164,200 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $50,041 a year). Taken together, Buffalo is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.9 against 102.5 — about 7% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Buffalo is 7% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.9 in Buffalo vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Buffalo, NY
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo, NY?
Equivalent salary in Chicago, IL
$80,977
You'd need $5,977 more (8% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Buffalo
New York
Chicago
Illinois
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Buffalo — median rent of $1,046/mo versus $1,440/mo in Chicago, a 27% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $164,200 in Buffalo — 51% more expensive.
Metric
Buffalo
Chicago
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Buffalo
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Buffalo if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 94.9 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Buffalo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,046/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Buffalo is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.9 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 7% lower in Buffalo.
Median rent is $1,046/mo in Buffalo, NY and $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL. Buffalo, NY has the lower rent by about 27%.
Median household income is $50,041 in Buffalo, NY and $77,902 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Buffalo, NY is equivalent to roughly $107,970 in Chicago, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
