CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Salt Lake City, UT Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
UT
Salt Lake City
100.9
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Buffalo is moderately cheaper than Salt Lake City — 5.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $84,300 in Salt Lake City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+52.2%
Buffalo
81
Salt Lake City
123.3
🛒 Groceries3.3%
Buffalo
99.7
Salt Lake City
96.4
🚗 Transportation+1.3%
Buffalo
102.6
Salt Lake City
103.9
🏥 Healthcare+1.2%
Buffalo
92.9
Salt Lake City
94
Utilities39.0%
Buffalo
129.5
Salt Lake City
79

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$84,300
$4,300 more needed in Salt Lake City

Formula: salary × (100.9 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.0532. 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×

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Home Price
$554,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
123.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
29.3×

Salt Lake City has 52.2% 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

Salt Lake City, UT

Median Household Income
$94,400
Per Capita Income
$53,800
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
200,567
Top Industries
TechnologyHealthcareFinanceTourismGovernment

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)

Salt Lake City, UT
5.0×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.