Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY Cost of Living & Economic Score

Federal Bureau of Economic Analysis cost-of-living and household-budget data for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY metropolitan statistical area.

B-
InflationRank Score
81 / 100
Solid affordability — better than the U.S. national average.
Metro cost level (RPP)
95.0
5% below U.S. (100)
Cost burden
81
0–100 (higher = cheaper)
Income resilience
83
state-level proxy
State context
New York →
view state-level data

Cost of living in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, prices in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY metropolitan area run 5.0% below the U.S. average (Regional Price Parity index 95.0 on a base of 100). That puts Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls close to the middle of the U.S. cost-of-living range.

For broader state context — including state taxes, insurance, and energy costs that affect every New York household — see the New York state report.

Other New York metros

Compare to similar-cost metros

Asheville, NC · RPP 95.0 Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN · RPP 95.0 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI · RPP 95.0 Columbia, SC · RPP 95.0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY?

The Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY metro area has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 95.0 (U.S.=100), meaning prices are 5.0% below the national average. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

Is Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls an affordable place to live?

Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY has an InflationRank score of 81/100 (grade B-), reflecting above-average affordability relative to U.S. metros. The metro RPP of 95.0 compares to a U.S. baseline of 100.

How does Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls compare to other cities for cost of living?

Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.0 (U.S.=100), 5.0% below the national average. Similar-cost metros include Asheville, NC (RPP 95.0), Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN (RPP 95.0).

About the InflationRank Score

The InflationRank Score is a proprietary 0–100 composite that summarizes a metro area's cost-of-living and economic conditions on a familiar A–F grading scale. The composite weighs cost level, inflation pressure, and income resilience, sourced from federal government datasets and reviewed annually as federal data refreshes.

Underlying data is drawn from authoritative federal economic agencies and public housing datasets. See full data sources →