Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
27% cheaper
Buffalo is 27% more affordable than Anchorage. A $75,000 salary in Anchorage is equivalent to $54,921 in Buffalo.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Alaska salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Anchorage has a housing index of 142 while Buffalo sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Anchorage costs $340,000 compared to $175,000 in Buffalo, a difference of $165,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,400 in Anchorage versus $1,000 in Buffalo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Anchorage scores 120 while Buffalo scores 101.
Healthcare costs in Anchorage (128) are higher than Buffalo (99).
Median household income in Anchorage is $72,515 compared to $40,858 in Buffalo. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Buffalo.
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