Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Meridian?

Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Meridian?

Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Buffalo vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Buffalo

New York

$1,160/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Buffalo, NY versus $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Buffalo, NY is roughly 31% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 51% higher in Meridian, ID. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Buffalo, NY

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$812

$1,523

+88% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,540

+81% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$954

$1,489

+56% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,893

+75% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$152,300

$485,000

+218% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$48,050

$98,686

+105% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

$49,100

+3% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

37.4 yr

+3.1 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

42.7%

76.1%

+33.4 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

44.4%

+14.1 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

19.9 min

22.3 min

+2.4 min in Meridian, ID

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

770.5

150.3

+80% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

4,003.2

583.5

+85% 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

52.5°F

+4.2°F in Meridian, ID

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

11.7 in

+28.7 in in Buffalo, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$4.27/gal

+3% in Meridian, ID

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

14.4

+51% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.01

$11.33

+58% in Buffalo, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.01

+8% in Buffalo, NY

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.70

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NY / ID)

+2.0 pp in ID

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

5.30%

+5.6 pp in NY

Buffalo vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Meridian?: Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 31% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Buffalo than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Meridian?: Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% 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).