CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Montgomery, AL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
More AffordableAL
Montgomery
89.7
overall index
$1,375/mo rent

Montgomery is moderately cheaper than Buffalo — 6.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $74,900 in Montgomery. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing20.6%
Buffalo
81
Montgomery
64.3
🛒 Groceries3.3%
Buffalo
99.7
Montgomery
96.4
🚗 Transportation1.1%
Buffalo
102.6
Montgomery
101.5
🏥 Healthcare1.1%
Buffalo
92.9
Montgomery
91.9
Utilities34.4%
Buffalo
129.5
Montgomery
84.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Montgomery, AL
$74,900
$5,100 less needed in Montgomery

Formula: salary × (89.7 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 0.9363. 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×

Montgomery, AL

Median Home Price
$205,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,375
Housing Index
64.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
12.4×

Buffalo has 20.6% lower housing costs compared to Montgomery.

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

Montgomery, AL

Median Household Income
$62,400
Per Capita Income
$35,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
199,518
Top Industries
GovernmentMilitaryHealthcareManufacturingEducation

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)

Montgomery, AL
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.