Median rent is 37% lower in Buffalo ($1,046/mo vs $1,648/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo, where the median home runs $164,200 versus $452,600. Households earn more in Colorado Springs ($84,818 vs $50,041 a year). Taken together, Buffalo is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.9 against 98.1 — about 3% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Colorado Springs, CO.
Cost of living verdict
Buffalo is 3% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.9 in Buffalo vs 98.1 in Colorado Springs (US national average = 100)
City A
Buffalo, NY
City B
Colorado Springs, CO
How much would you need to earn in Colorado Springs, CO to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo, NY?
Equivalent salary in Colorado Springs, CO
$77,522
You'd need $2,522 more (3% 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
Colorado Springs
Colorado
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 $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, a 37% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Colorado Springs: the median home is $452,600 versus $164,200 in Buffalo — 64% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
Colorado Springs
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Colorado Springs has cleaner air on average: 23.0 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 98.1).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize higher median household income ($84,818/yr).
Pick Buffalo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,046/mo median).
Pick Colorado Springs if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 23.0).
Is Buffalo cheaper than Colorado Springs?
Buffalo is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.9 versus 98.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 3% lower in Buffalo.
How much is rent in Buffalo vs Colorado Springs?
Median rent is $1,046/mo in Buffalo, NY and $1,648/mo in Colorado Springs, CO. Buffalo, NY has the lower rent by about 37%.
Which has higher salaries — Buffalo or Colorado Springs?
Median household income is $50,041 in Buffalo, NY and $84,818 in Colorado Springs, CO. Colorado Springs, CO 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?
Colorado Springs, CO has better air quality on average: 23.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Buffalo or Colorado Springs?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Colorado Springs to match my Buffalo income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Buffalo, NY is equivalent to roughly $103,363 in Colorado Springs, CO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
