CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Greenville, SC Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableSC
Greenville
93.3
overall index
$1,550/mo rent

Greenville is slightly cheaper than Buffalo — 2.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $77,900 in Greenville. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing5.2%
Buffalo
81
Greenville
76.8
🛒 Groceries3.4%
Buffalo
99.7
Greenville
96.3
🚗 Transportation+0.6%
Buffalo
102.6
Greenville
103.2
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Buffalo
92.9
Greenville
93.4
Utilities31.4%
Buffalo
129.5
Greenville
88.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Greenville, SC
$77,900
$2,100 less needed in Greenville

Formula: salary × (93.3 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9739. 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×

Greenville, SC

Median Home Price
$303,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,550
Housing Index
76.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.3×

Buffalo has 5.2% lower housing costs compared to Greenville.

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

Greenville, SC

Median Household Income
$69,400
Per Capita Income
$39,600
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
72,885
Top Industries
ManufacturingHealthcareTechnologyAutomotiveFinance

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)

Greenville, SC
3.7×income-to-rent ratio

73% 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.