Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Provo?

Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Buffalo, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

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 Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Provo?

Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Buffalo vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Buffalo

New York

$1,160/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/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 $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Provo, UT is roughly 3% 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 $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 23% higher in Provo, UT. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Buffalo, NY

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$812

$1,009

+24% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$849

$978

+15% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$954

$1,128

+18% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,080

$1,381

+28% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$152,300

$437,100

+187% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$48,050

$62,800

+31% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

$48,010

+5% in Buffalo, NY

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.3 yr

23.7 yr

+10.6 yr in Buffalo, NY

Homeownership

42.7%

39.9%

+2.8 pp in Buffalo, NY

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

45.0%

+14.7 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

19.9 min

18.5 min

+1.4 min in Buffalo, NY

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

770.5

205.7

+73% in Buffalo, NY

Property Crime

4,003.2

1,280.6

+68% 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

53.4°F

+5.1°F in Provo, UT

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

19.8 in

+20.7 in in Buffalo, NY

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.13/gal

$4.27/gal

+3% in Provo, UT

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

29.5

13.4

+55% in Buffalo, NY

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$27.01

$11.84

+56% in Buffalo, NY

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$2.04

+6% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$7.36

+7% in Provo, UT

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 / UT)

6.1%

+2.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

10.90%

4.50%

+6.4 pp in NY

Buffalo vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Provo?: Provo, UT is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,120 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Buffalo, NY's $1,160, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Buffalo than in Provo?: 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 Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Buffalo or Provo?: Buffalo is taxed under New York's rules (a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% 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).