Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Buffalo and Rochester 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 York salaries · New York salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Buffalo has a housing index of 72 while Rochester sits at 73 (national average = 100). The median home in Buffalo costs $175,000 compared to $155,000 in Rochester, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,000 in Buffalo versus $1,000 in Rochester.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Buffalo scores 101 while Rochester scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Buffalo (99) are lower than Rochester (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Buffalo is $40,858 compared to $39,728 in Rochester. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Amazon affiliate links