CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Fremont, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
CA
Fremont
115.6
overall index
$3,075/mo rent

Buffalo is significantly cheaper than Fremont — 20.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $96,500 in Fremont. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+140.4%
Buffalo
81
Fremont
194.7
🛒 Groceries+8.8%
Buffalo
99.7
Fremont
108.5
🚗 Transportation+8.7%
Buffalo
102.6
Fremont
111.5
🏥 Healthcare+8.6%
Buffalo
92.9
Fremont
100.9
Utilities+33.3%
Buffalo
129.5
Fremont
172.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Fremont, CA
$96,500
$16,500 more needed in Fremont

Formula: salary × (115.6 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.2067. 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×

Fremont, CA

Median Home Price
$1,090,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,075
Housing Index
194.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.5×

Fremont has 140.4% 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

Fremont, CA

Median Household Income
$127,800
Per Capita Income
$72,800
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
230,504
Top Industries
TechnologyManufacturingHealthcareRetailEducation

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)

Fremont, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% 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.