CostIndexUSA

Buffalo, NY vs Vallejo, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableNY
Buffalo
95.8
overall index
$1,375/mo rent
CA
Vallejo
108.5
overall index
$2,375/mo rent

Buffalo is moderately cheaper than Vallejo — 13.3% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Buffalo, you would need $90,600 in Vallejo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+75.3%
Buffalo
81
Vallejo
142
🛒 Groceries+5.5%
Buffalo
99.7
Vallejo
105.2
🚗 Transportation+2.6%
Buffalo
102.6
Vallejo
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+2.6%
Buffalo
92.9
Vallejo
95.3
Utilities+19.7%
Buffalo
129.5
Vallejo
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Vallejo, CA
$90,600
$10,600 more needed in Vallejo

Formula: salary × (108.5 ÷ 95.8) = salary × 1.1326. 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×

Vallejo, CA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,375
Housing Index
142
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.9×

Vallejo has 75.3% 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

Vallejo, CA

Median Household Income
$100,000
Per Capita Income
$57,000
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
121,253
Top Industries
HealthcareMilitaryManufacturingRetailGovernment

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)

Vallejo, CA
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

72% 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.