CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Midland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

≈ Equal CostNY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
TX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Buffalo and Midland have nearly identical costs of living.

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+25.3%
Buffalo
81
Midland
101.5
🛒 Groceries5.9%
Buffalo
99.7
Midland
93.8
🚗 Transportation1.5%
Buffalo
102.6
Midland
101.1
🏥 Healthcare1.6%
Buffalo
92.9
Midland
91.4
Utilities35.8%
Buffalo
129.5
Midland
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Midland, TX
$80,000
Same salary works in both cities

Formula: salary × (95.8 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.0000. 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×

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Midland has 25.3% 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

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

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)

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% 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.