CostIndexUSA

Aurora, IL vs Buffalo, NY Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Aurora
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableNY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Buffalo is moderately cheaper than Aurora — 7.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Aurora, you would need $74,000 in Buffalo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing27.7%
Aurora
112
Buffalo
81
🛒 Groceries7.1%
Aurora
107.3
Buffalo
99.7
🚗 Transportation2.7%
Aurora
105.5
Buffalo
102.6
🏥 Healthcare2.7%
Aurora
95.5
Buffalo
92.9
Utilities+54.9%
Aurora
83.6
Buffalo
129.5

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Aurora to see what you'd need to earn in Buffalo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Buffalo, NY
$74,000
$6,000 less needed in Buffalo

Formula: salary × (95.8 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.9247. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Aurora, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Buffalo, NY

Median Home Price
$269,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
81
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Aurora has 27.7% lower housing costs compared to Buffalo.

Income & Job Market

Aurora, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
197,899
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareRetailTechnologyFinance

Buffalo, NY

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
261,025
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Aurora, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Buffalo, NY
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.