Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Jackson?

Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Buffalo, NY's $1,150, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $33,000 in Jackson.

Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Jackson?

Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax).

Buffalo vs Jackson Cost of Living 2026

Buffalo

New York

$1,150/mo est.

Jackson

Mississippi

$1,010/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 $1,010 in Jackson, MS. Overall, Jackson, MS is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Buffalo, NY, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $43,238 in Jackson, MS — about 10% higher in Buffalo, NY. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Mississippi has a top state income tax rate of 4.00% and a 7% state sales tax.

Buffalo, NY

Jackson, MS

Rent

Studio

$812

$1,085

+34% in Jackson, MS

1 Bedroom

$849

$816

+4% in Buffalo, NY

2 Bedroom

$954

$991

+4% in Jackson, MS

3 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,121

+4% in Jackson, MS

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$152,300

$108,200

+29% in Buffalo, NY

Income

Median Household Income

$48,050

$43,238

+10% in Buffalo, NY

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

$42,850

+16% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

34.7 yr

+0.4 yr in Jackson, MS

Homeownership

42.7%

48.6%

+5.9 pp in Jackson, MS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

28.6%

+1.7 pp in Buffalo, NY

Avg Commute

19.9 min

20.2 min

+0.3 min in Jackson, MS

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

770.5

—

Property Crime

4,003.2

—

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

65.3°F

+17.0°F in Jackson, MS

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

54.3 in

+13.8 in in Jackson, MS

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.04/gal

$3.62/gal

+10% in Buffalo, NY

Area: New York vs Gulf Coast (PADD 3).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.9

16.2

+46% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.74

$27.68

+22% in Jackson, MS

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Buffalo, NY

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.75

+9% in Buffalo, NY

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$2.21

+1% in Jackson, MS

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.45

+6% in Buffalo, NY

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$1.90

+13% in Buffalo, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Buffalo, NY

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NY / MS)

+3.0 pp in MS

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

4.00%

+6.9 pp in NY

Buffalo vs Jackson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Jackson?: Jackson, MS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,010 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Buffalo, NY's $1,150, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Buffalo than in Jackson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $33,000 in Jackson.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Jackson?: Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Jackson under Mississippi's (a top state income tax rate of 4.00% 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).