Median rent is 36% lower in Buffalo ($1,046/mo vs $1,641/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo, where the median home runs $164,200 versus $270,800. Households earn more in Garland ($76,320 vs $50,041 a year).
City A
Buffalo, NY
City B
Garland, TX
How much would you need to earn in Garland, TX to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo, NY?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
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
Garland
Texas
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 $1,641/mo in Garland, a 36% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Garland: the median home is $270,800 versus $164,200 in Buffalo — 39% 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
Garland
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Buffalo averages 54.0 AQI (Moderate) and Garland averages 55.0 AQI (Moderate).
Pick Garland if you prioritize higher median household income ($76,320/yr).
Pick Buffalo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,046/mo median).
Is Buffalo cheaper than Garland?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Buffalo vs Garland?
Median rent is $1,046/mo in Buffalo, NY and $1,641/mo in Garland, TX. Buffalo, NY has the lower rent by about 36%.
Which has higher salaries — Buffalo or Garland?
Median household income is $50,041 in Buffalo, NY and $76,320 in Garland, TX. Garland, TX 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?
Buffalo, NY has better air quality on average: 54.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Buffalo or Garland?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Garland to match my Buffalo income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
