Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Albuquerque and Buffalo have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: New Mexico salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Albuquerque has a housing index of 80 while Buffalo sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Albuquerque costs $260,000 compared to $175,000 in Buffalo, a difference of $85,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Albuquerque versus $1,000 in Buffalo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Albuquerque scores 97 while Buffalo scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Albuquerque (94) are lower than Buffalo (99). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Albuquerque is $52,911 compared to $40,858 in Buffalo. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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