Living Cost Compare
Buffalo

New York

$1,150/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,150/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 $1,150 in Indianapolis, IN. The two are close overall, within a few percent of each other.

Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 24% higher in Indianapolis, IN. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Buffalo, NY
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$812
$933
+15% in Indianapolis, IN
1 Bedroom
$849
$963
+13% in Indianapolis, IN
2 Bedroom
$954
$1,132
+19% in Indianapolis, IN
3 Bedroom
$1,080
$1,304
+21% in Indianapolis, IN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$152,300
$207,000
+36% in Indianapolis, IN

Income

Median Household Income
$48,050
$62,995
+31% in Indianapolis, IN
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$50,790
$49,340
+3% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
34.3 yr
34.1 yr
+0.2 yr in Buffalo, NY
Homeownership
42.7%
55.3%
+12.6 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
30.3%
34.2%
+3.9 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Avg Commute
19.9 min
24.3 min
+4.4 min in Indianapolis, IN

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
770.5
936.6
+22% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
4,003.2
3,351.7
+16% 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
53.2°F
+4.9°F in Indianapolis, IN
Annual Precipitation
40.5 in
42.4 in
+2.0 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.04/gal
$3.94/gal
+3% in Buffalo, NY

Area: New York vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$1.75

Adult base one-way fare — — vs IndyGo (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
29.9
18.1
+39% in Buffalo, NY
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$22.74
$13.70
+40% in Buffalo, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.92
$1.66
+14% in Buffalo, NY
Eggs (doz)
$2.19
$3.63
+66% in Indianapolis, IN
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 / IN)
4%
7%
+3.0 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
10.90%
2.95%
+8.0 pp in NY

Buffalo vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Indianapolis?
They're close. Buffalo, NY runs about $1,150 a month and Indianapolis, IN about $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) — within a few percent of each other.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Buffalo than in Indianapolis?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Indianapolis?
Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Indianapolis under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).