Median rent is 5% lower in St. Louis ($997/mo vs $1,046/mo). Buying is cheaper in Buffalo, where the median home runs $164,200 versus $197,500. Households earn more in St. Louis ($56,160 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 St. Louis, MO.
City A
Buffalo, NY
City B
St. Louis, MO
How much would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to maintain your standard of living from Buffalo, NY?
Equivalent salary in St. Louis, MO
$75,041
You'd need $41 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
St. Louis
Missouri
👥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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,046/mo in Buffalo and $997/mo in St. Louis. Median home values are within 17% of each other: $164,200 in Buffalo and $197,500 in St. Louis.
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
St. Louis
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
St. Louis has cleaner air on average: 33.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize higher median household income ($56,160/yr).
Pick St. Louis if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 33.0).
Is Buffalo cheaper than St. Louis?
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.
How much is rent in Buffalo vs St. Louis?
Median rent is $1,046/mo in Buffalo, NY and $997/mo in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO has the lower rent by about 5%.
Which has higher salaries — Buffalo or St. Louis?
Median household income is $50,041 in Buffalo, NY and $56,160 in St. Louis, MO. St. Louis, MO 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?
St. Louis, MO has better air quality on average: 33.0 AQI versus 54.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Buffalo or St. Louis?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Buffalo income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Buffalo, NY is equivalent to roughly $100,055 in St. Louis, MO (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
