CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Myrtle Beach, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Myrtle Beach
93.6
overall index
$1,700/mo rent

Myrtle Beach is slightly cheaper than Buffalo — 2.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $78,200 in Myrtle Beach. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+2.6%
Buffalo
81
Myrtle Beach
83.1
🛒 Groceries3.4%
Buffalo
99.7
Myrtle Beach
96.3
🚗 Transportation+0.6%
Buffalo
102.6
Myrtle Beach
103.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Buffalo
92.9
Myrtle Beach
93.4
Utilities32.0%
Buffalo
129.5
Myrtle Beach
88

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Myrtle Beach, SC
$78,200
$1,800 less needed in Myrtle Beach

Formula: salary × (93.6 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9770. 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×

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
83.1
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.4×

Myrtle Beach has 2.6% 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

Myrtle Beach, SC

Median Household Income
$69,000
Per Capita Income
$39,300
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
34,695
Top Industries
TourismHealthcareRetailReal EstateHospitality

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)

Myrtle Beach, SC
3.4×income-to-rent ratio

70% 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.