Median rent is 19% lower in Buffalo ($989/mo vs $1,224/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo, where the median home runs $152,300 versus $234,500. Households earn more in Columbus ($65,327 vs $48,050 a year). Taken together, Buffalo is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.0 against 94.1 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Columbus, OH.
City A
Buffalo, NY
City B
Columbus, OH
How much would you need to earn in Columbus, OH to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo, NY?
Equivalent salary in Columbus, OH
$75,079
You'd need $79 more (0% higher).
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
Columbus
Ohio
👥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 rent is modestly lower in Buffalo at $989/mo compared to $1,224/mo in Columbus (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Columbus: the median home is $234,500 versus $152,300 in Buffalo — 35% more expensive.
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 3.50% in Ohio, so Columbus is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 5.75% in Ohio; Buffalo has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Buffalo
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Columbus
Income tax: 3.50%
Sales tax: 5.75%
Columbus has cleaner air on average: 12.0 AQI (Good) compared to 20.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Columbus if you prioritize higher median household income ($65,327/yr).
Pick Buffalo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($989/mo median).
Pick Columbus if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 12.0).
Pick Columbus if you prioritize lower state income tax (3.50%).
Is Buffalo cheaper than Columbus?
Buffalo is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.0 versus 94.1 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Buffalo.
How much is rent in Buffalo vs Columbus?
Median rent is $989/mo in Buffalo, NY and $1,224/mo in Columbus, OH. Buffalo, NY has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — Buffalo or Columbus?
Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $65,327 in Columbus, OH. Columbus, OH 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?
Columbus, OH has better air quality on average: 12.0 AQI versus 20.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Buffalo or Columbus?
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% and Ohio's is 3.50%. Columbus, OH has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Columbus to match my Buffalo income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Buffalo, NY is equivalent to roughly $100,105 in Columbus, OH (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