CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Pocatello, ID Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableID
Pocatello
88.9
overall index
$1,075/mo rent

Pocatello is moderately cheaper than Buffalo — 7.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $74,200 in Pocatello. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing18.0%
Buffalo
81
Pocatello
66.4
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Buffalo
99.7
Pocatello
96.2
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Buffalo
102.6
Pocatello
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+1.2%
Buffalo
92.9
Pocatello
94
Utilities46.1%
Buffalo
129.5
Pocatello
69.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Pocatello, ID
$74,200
$5,800 less needed in Pocatello

Formula: salary × (88.9 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9280. 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×

Pocatello, ID

Median Home Price
$339,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,075
Housing Index
66.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
26.3×

Buffalo has 18.0% lower housing costs compared to Pocatello.

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

Pocatello, ID

Median Household Income
$68,500
Per Capita Income
$39,000
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Population
56,606
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetail

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)

Pocatello, ID
5.3×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.