Median rent is 17% lower in Buffalo ($1,046/mo vs $1,260/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo, where the median home runs $164,200 versus $268,200. Households earn more in Kentwood ($74,373 vs $50,041 a year). Taken together, Buffalo is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.9 against 95.0 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Kentwood, MI.
City A
Buffalo, NY
City B
Kentwood, MI
How much would you need to earn in Kentwood, MI to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo, NY?
Equivalent salary in Kentwood, MI
$75,043
You'd need $43 more (0% 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
Kentwood
Michigan
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
Median rent is modestly lower in Buffalo at $1,046/mo compared to $1,260/mo in Kentwood (17% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Kentwood: the median home is $268,200 versus $164,200 in Buffalo — 39% more expensive.
Metric
Buffalo
Kentwood
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
Kentwood
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Buffalo (avg AQI 54.0) but not yet for Kentwood.
Pick Kentwood if you prioritize higher median household income ($74,373/yr).
Pick Buffalo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,046/mo median).
Buffalo is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.9 versus 95.0 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Buffalo.
Median rent is $1,046/mo in Buffalo, NY and $1,260/mo in Kentwood, MI. Buffalo, NY has the lower rent by about 17%.
Median household income is $50,041 in Buffalo, NY and $74,373 in Kentwood, MI. Kentwood, MI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
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 $100,057 in Kentwood, MI (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
