Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Buffalo?

Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $34,000 in Buffalo.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Buffalo?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Buffalo Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,150 in Buffalo, NY. Overall, Buffalo, NY is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boise, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $48,050 in Buffalo, NY — about 41% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Buffalo, NY

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$812

+20% in Boise, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$849

+25% in Boise, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$954

+29% in Boise, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,080

+38% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$152,300

+67% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$48,050

+41% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$50,790

+3% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

34.3 yr

+3.9 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

42.7%

+20.3 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

30.3%

+16.3 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

19.9 min

+0.8 min in Buffalo, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

770.5

+156% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

1,135.1

4,003.2

+253% 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

52.5°F

48.3°F

+4.2°F in Boise, ID

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

40.5 in

+28.7 in in Buffalo, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$4.04/gal

+6% in Boise, ID

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs New York.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

29.9

+142% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$22.74

+110% in Buffalo, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.92

+6% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.90

+6% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.19

+9% in Buffalo, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / NY)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

10.90%

+5.6 pp in NY

Boise vs Buffalo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Buffalo?: Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Boise, ID's $1,260, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Buffalo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $34,000 in Buffalo.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Buffalo?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).