Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Green Bay?

Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Buffalo, NY's $1,150, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $29,000 in Green Bay.

Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Green Bay?

Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax).

Buffalo vs Green Bay Cost of Living 2026

Buffalo

New York

$1,150/mo est.

Green Bay

Wisconsin

$920/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,150 in Buffalo, NY versus $920 in Green Bay, WI. Overall, Green Bay, WI is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Buffalo, NY, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $62,546 in Green Bay, WI — about 23% higher in Green Bay, WI. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Wisconsin has a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% state sales tax.

Buffalo, NY

Green Bay, WI

Rent

Studio

$812

$707

+13% in Buffalo, NY

1 Bedroom

$849

$730

+14% in Buffalo, NY

2 Bedroom

$954

$956

+0% in Green Bay, WI

3 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,287

+19% in Green Bay, WI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$152,300

$191,500

+26% in Green Bay, WI

Income

Median Household Income

$48,050

$62,546

+30% in Green Bay, WI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

$49,940

+2% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

35.7 yr

+1.4 yr in Green Bay, WI

Homeownership

42.7%

55.9%

+13.2 pp in Green Bay, WI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

25.5%

+4.8 pp in Buffalo, NY

Avg Commute

19.9 min

18.9 min

+1.0 min in Buffalo, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

770.5

501.7

+35% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

4,003.2

1,331.2

+67% 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

48.3°F

44.3°F

+4.0°F in Buffalo, NY

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

29.5 in

+11.0 in in Buffalo, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.04/gal

$3.94/gal

+3% in Buffalo, NY

Area: New York vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.9

19.7

+34% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.74

$11.79

+48% in Buffalo, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Buffalo, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Green Bay, WI

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Buffalo, NY

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Buffalo, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Buffalo, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NY / WI)

+1.0 pp in WI

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

7.65%

+3.3 pp in NY

Buffalo vs Green Bay — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Green Bay?: Green Bay, WI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $920 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Buffalo, NY's $1,150, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Buffalo than in Green Bay?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $29,000 in Green Bay.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Green Bay?: Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Green Bay under Wisconsin's (a top state income tax rate of 7.65% and a 5% 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).