Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Buffalo?

Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Buffalo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $34,000 in Buffalo.

Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Buffalo?

Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Buffalo under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Annapolis vs Buffalo Cost of Living 2026

Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

Buffalo

New York

$1,150/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,150 in Buffalo, NY. Overall, Buffalo, NY is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $48,050 in Buffalo, NY — about 54% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD

Buffalo, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,239

$812

+34% in Annapolis, MD

1 Bedroom

$1,598

$849

+47% in Annapolis, MD

2 Bedroom

$1,864

$954

+49% in Annapolis, MD

3 Bedroom

$2,232

$1,080

+52% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$510,200

$152,300

+70% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income

$104,257

$48,050

+54% in Annapolis, MD

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$59,070

$50,790

+14% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

40.9 yr

34.3 yr

+6.6 yr in Annapolis, MD

Homeownership

59.8%

42.7%

+17.1 pp in Annapolis, MD

Bachelor's+ (25+)

53.7%

30.3%

+23.4 pp in Annapolis, MD

Avg Commute

28.7 min

19.9 min

+8.8 min in Annapolis, MD

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

806

770.5

+4% in Annapolis, MD

Property Crime

2,111.5

4,003.2

+90% in Buffalo, NY

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

57.1°F

48.3°F

+8.8°F in Annapolis, MD

Annual Precipitation

—

40.5 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.86/gal

$4.04/gal

+5% in Buffalo, NY

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

21.8

29.9

+37% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$18.94

$22.74

+20% in Buffalo, NY

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Buffalo, NY

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.92

+10% in Buffalo, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Annapolis, MD

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.90

+7% in Buffalo, NY

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.19

+15% in Buffalo, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Buffalo, NY

Average prices — South vs Northeast (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / NY)

+2.0 pp in MD

Income Tax (top rate)

6.50%

10.90%

+4.4 pp in NY

Annapolis vs Buffalo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Buffalo?: Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Buffalo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $34,000 in Buffalo.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Buffalo?: Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Buffalo under New York's (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).