Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Newark?

Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Newark.

Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Newark?

Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax).

Buffalo vs Newark Cost of Living 2026

Buffalo

New York

$1,150/mo est.

Newark

New Jersey

$1,210/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 $1,210 in Newark, NJ. Overall, Buffalo, NY is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Newark, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $48,416 in Newark, NJ — about 1% higher in Newark, NJ. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; New Jersey has a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% state sales tax.

Buffalo, NY

Newark, NJ

Rent

Studio

$812

$1,111

+37% in Newark, NJ

1 Bedroom

$849

$978

+15% in Newark, NJ

2 Bedroom

$954

$1,386

+45% in Newark, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,695

+57% in Newark, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$152,300

$337,800

+122% in Newark, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,050

$48,416

+1% in Newark, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

$61,430

+21% in Newark, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

34.8 yr

+0.5 yr in Newark, NJ

Homeownership

42.7%

24.1%

+18.6 pp in Buffalo, NY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

17.4%

+12.9 pp in Buffalo, NY

Avg Commute

19.9 min

33.2 min

+13.3 min in Newark, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

770.5

582.5

+24% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

4,003.2

1,961.8

+51% 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

54.9°F

+6.6°F in Newark, NJ

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

46.3 in

+5.8 in in Newark, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.04/gal

$3.86/gal

+4% in Buffalo, NY

Area: New York vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.9

23.3

+22% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.74

$15.93

+30% in Buffalo, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NY / NJ)

6.625%

+2.6 pp in NJ

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

10.75%

+0.2 pp in NY

Buffalo vs Newark — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Newark?: Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,150 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Newark, NJ's $1,210, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Buffalo than in Newark?: 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 Newark.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Newark?: Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Newark under New Jersey's (a top state income tax rate of 10.75% and a 6.625% 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).