Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Baton Rouge 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: Louisiana salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Baton Rouge has a housing index of 75 while Buffalo sits at 72 (national average = 100). The median home in Baton Rouge costs $195,000 compared to $175,000 in Buffalo, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,100 in Baton Rouge versus $1,000 in Buffalo.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Baton Rouge scores 96 while Buffalo scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Baton Rouge (93) are lower than Buffalo (99). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Baton Rouge is $44,982 compared to $40,858 in Buffalo. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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