CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Idaho Falls, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableID
Idaho Falls
94.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Idaho Falls is slightly cheaper than Buffalo — 1.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $78,800 in Idaho Falls. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+3.7%
Buffalo
81
Idaho Falls
84
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Buffalo
99.7
Idaho Falls
96.2
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Buffalo
102.6
Idaho Falls
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+1.2%
Buffalo
92.9
Idaho Falls
94
Utilities46.2%
Buffalo
129.5
Idaho Falls
69.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Idaho Falls, ID
$78,800
$1,200 less needed in Idaho Falls

Formula: salary × (94.4 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9854. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Buffalo, NY

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

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Home Price
$399,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.8×

Idaho Falls has 3.7% higher housing costs compared to Buffalo.

Income & Job Market

Buffalo, NY

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

Idaho Falls, ID

Median Household Income
$75,800
Per Capita Income
$43,200
Unemployment Rate
2.1%
Population
64,818
Top Industries
EnergyHealthcareAgricultureRetailGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

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

Buffalo, NY
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Idaho Falls, ID
4.5×income-to-rent ratio

78% 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.