Median rent is 25% lower in Buffalo ($1,046/mo vs $1,392/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo, where the median home runs $164,200 versus $373,700. Households earn more in Newark ($52,060 vs $50,041 a year). Taken together, Buffalo is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 94.9 against 112.6 — about 16% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Buffalo, NY.
Cost of living verdict
Buffalo is 16% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 94.9 in Buffalo vs 112.6 in Newark (US national average = 100)
City A
Buffalo, NY
City B
Newark, NJ
How much would you need to earn in Newark, NJ to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo, NY?
Equivalent salary in Newark, NJ
$89,004
You'd need $14,004 more (19% 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
Newark
New Jersey
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 $1,392/mo in Newark, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Newark: the median home is $373,700 versus $164,200 in Buffalo — 56% 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
Newark
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Newark has cleaner air on average: 46.0 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 112.6).
Pick Buffalo if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,046/mo median).
Pick Newark if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 46.0).
Is Buffalo cheaper than Newark?
Buffalo is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 94.9 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 16% lower in Buffalo.
How much is rent in Buffalo vs Newark?
Median rent is $1,046/mo in Buffalo, NY and $1,392/mo in Newark, NJ. Buffalo, NY has the lower rent by about 25%.
Which has higher salaries — Buffalo or Newark?
Median household income is $50,041 in Buffalo, NY and $52,060 in Newark, NJ. Newark, NJ 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?
Newark, NJ has better air quality on average: 46.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Buffalo or Newark?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in Newark to match my Buffalo income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Buffalo, NY is equivalent to roughly $118,672 in Newark, NJ (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
