CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Kingsport, TN Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableTN
Kingsport
86.4
overall index
$1,400/mo rent

Kingsport is moderately cheaper than Buffalo — 9.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $72,200 in Kingsport. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing30.2%
Buffalo
81
Kingsport
56.5
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Buffalo
99.7
Kingsport
96.2
🚗 Transportation1.9%
Buffalo
102.6
Kingsport
100.6
🏥 Healthcare2.0%
Buffalo
92.9
Kingsport
91
Utilities41.4%
Buffalo
129.5
Kingsport
75.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Kingsport, TN
$72,200
$7,800 less needed in Kingsport

Formula: salary × (86.4 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9019. 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×

Kingsport, TN

Median Home Price
$235,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
56.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.0×

Buffalo has 30.2% lower housing costs compared to Kingsport.

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

Kingsport, TN

Median Household Income
$53,800
Per Capita Income
$30,700
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
55,442
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareChemicalsRetailGovernment

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)

Kingsport, TN
3.2×income-to-rent ratio

69% 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.