Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Paterson?

Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $47,000 in Paterson.

Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Paterson?

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

Buffalo vs Paterson Cost of Living 2026

Buffalo

New York

$1,160/mo est.

Paterson

New Jersey

$1,430/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 $1,430 in Paterson, NJ. Overall, Buffalo, NY is roughly 19% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Paterson, NJ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $48,050 in Buffalo, NY and $53,766 in Paterson, NJ — about 11% higher in Paterson, 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

Paterson, NJ

Rent

Studio

$812

$786

+3% in Buffalo, NY

1 Bedroom

$849

$1,183

+39% in Paterson, NJ

2 Bedroom

$954

$1,468

+54% in Paterson, NJ

3 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,729

+60% in Paterson, NJ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$152,300

$335,400

+120% in Paterson, NJ

Income

Median Household Income

$48,050

$53,766

+12% in Paterson, NJ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

$61,430

+21% in Paterson, NJ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

33.3 yr

+1.0 yr in Buffalo, NY

Homeownership

42.7%

26.2%

+16.5 pp in Buffalo, NY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

12.5%

+17.8 pp in Buffalo, NY

Avg Commute

19.9 min

23.1 min

+3.2 min in Paterson, NJ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

770.5

1,010.1

+31% in Paterson, NJ

Property Crime

4,003.2

2,391.4

+40% 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

52.2°F

+3.9°F in Paterson, NJ

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

49.0 in

+8.6 in in Paterson, NJ

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$3.94/gal

+5% in Buffalo, NY

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

24.9

+15% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.01

$17.68

+35% 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 Paterson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Paterson?: Buffalo, NY is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 19% below Paterson, NJ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Buffalo than in Paterson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Buffalo versus $47,000 in Paterson.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Paterson?: Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Paterson 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).