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Buffalo vs Cleveland

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Cleveland is 3% cheaper than Buffalo overall.Buffalo has a cost of living index of 88 vs Cleveland at 85 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Buffalo costs 12% more.

Pierre
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Buffalo
NY
88
COLI index
VS
Cleveland
OH
85
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryBuffaloClevelandDifference
Overall COLI8885-3%
Housing8575-12%
Groceries100100Same
Transport9899+1%
Healthcare102101-1%
Utilities119108-9%

Median 1BR Rent

Buffalo
$975/mo
Cleveland
$975/mo

Median Home Price

Buffalo
$185,000
Cleveland
$130,000

Median Household Income

Buffalo
$42,071
Cleveland
$34,981

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Frequently Asked Questions

Cleveland is cheaper to live in overall. Buffalo has a cost of living index of 88 while Cleveland has an index of 85, where 100 represents the US national average. Cleveland is 3% cheaper than Buffalo overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Buffalo is $975 per month compared to $975 in Cleveland. The median home price in Buffalo is $185,000 versus $130,000 in Cleveland. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Buffalo has a cost of living index of 88 and Cleveland has an index of 85, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Buffalo, multiply by 0.97. For example a $75,000 salary in Buffalo is equivalent to approximately $72,443 in Cleveland.

Buffalo has a median household income of $42,071 per year versus $34,981 in Cleveland. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Buffalo to Cleveland is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Cleveland is 3% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.