Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Lincoln?

Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% 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 Lincoln?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $35,000 in Lincoln.

Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Lincoln?

Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax).

Buffalo vs Lincoln Cost of Living 2026

Buffalo

New York

$1,150/mo est.

Lincoln

Nebraska

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Lincoln, NE. Overall, Lincoln, NE is roughly 10% 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 $69,991 in Lincoln, NE — about 31% higher in Lincoln, NE. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax.

Buffalo, NY

Lincoln, NE

Rent

Studio

$812

$851

+5% in Lincoln, NE

1 Bedroom

$849

$879

+4% in Lincoln, NE

2 Bedroom

$954

$1,070

+12% in Lincoln, NE

3 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,379

+28% in Lincoln, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$152,300

$248,200

+63% in Lincoln, NE

Income

Median Household Income

$48,050

$69,991

+46% in Lincoln, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

$49,800

+2% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

33.4 yr

+0.9 yr in Buffalo, NY

Homeownership

42.7%

55.8%

+13.1 pp in Lincoln, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

41.0%

+10.7 pp in Lincoln, NE

Avg Commute

19.9 min

18.3 min

+1.6 min in Buffalo, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

770.5

363.1

+53% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

4,003.2

2,484.4

+38% 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

51.5°F

+3.2°F in Lincoln, NE

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

30.9 in

+9.6 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

13.6

+55% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.74

$15.53

+32% 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 Lincoln, NE

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 / NE)

5.5%

+1.5 pp in NE

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

4.55%

+6.4 pp in NY

Buffalo vs Lincoln — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Lincoln?: Lincoln, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 10% 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 Lincoln?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $35,000 in Lincoln.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Lincoln?: Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Lincoln under Nebraska's (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).