CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Palm Bay, FL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
FL
Palm Bay
100
overall index
$1,875/mo rent

Buffalo is slightly cheaper than Palm Bay — 4.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $83,500 in Palm Bay. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+37.9%
Buffalo
81
Palm Bay
111.7
🛒 Groceries3.5%
Buffalo
99.7
Palm Bay
96.2
🚗 Transportation+1.2%
Buffalo
102.6
Palm Bay
103.8
🏥 Healthcare+1.1%
Buffalo
92.9
Palm Bay
93.9
Utilities32.0%
Buffalo
129.5
Palm Bay
88.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Palm Bay, FL
$83,500
$3,500 more needed in Palm Bay

Formula: salary × (100 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.0438. 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×

Palm Bay, FL

Median Home Price
$336,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,875
Housing Index
111.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.9×

Palm Bay has 37.9% 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

Palm Bay, FL

Median Household Income
$78,600
Per Capita Income
$44,800
Unemployment Rate
5.1%
Population
119,760
Top Industries
AerospaceHealthcareTechnologyManufacturingRetail

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)

Palm Bay, FL
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.