CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Santa Clarita, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
CA
Santa Clarita
113.6
overall index
$2,550/mo rent

Buffalo is significantly cheaper than Santa Clarita — 18.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $94,900 in Santa Clarita. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+110.4%
Buffalo
81
Santa Clarita
170.4
🛒 Groceries+6.9%
Buffalo
99.7
Santa Clarita
106.6
🚗 Transportation+6.8%
Buffalo
102.6
Santa Clarita
109.6
🏥 Healthcare+6.7%
Buffalo
92.9
Santa Clarita
99.1
Utilities+22.5%
Buffalo
129.5
Santa Clarita
158.6

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Santa Clarita, CA
$94,900
$14,900 more needed in Santa Clarita

Formula: salary × (113.6 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.1858. 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×

Santa Clarita, CA

Median Home Price
$565,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,550
Housing Index
170.4
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Santa Clarita has 110.4% 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

Santa Clarita, CA

Median Household Income
$92,000
Per Capita Income
$52,400
Unemployment Rate
5.5%
Population
228,673
Top Industries
EntertainmentHealthcareManufacturingRetailFinance

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)

Santa Clarita, CA
3.0×income-to-rent ratio

67% 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.