Cost of Living: Arlington, TX vs Buffalo, NY (2026)

Arlington

Texas
95
VS

Buffalo

New York
61

Arlington is 56% more expensive than Buffalo.

$1,389/mo ↑ 40%
Median Rent
$989/mo ↓ 29%
$73,519/yr ↑ 53%
Median Income
$48,050/yr ↓ 35%
$276,400 ↑ 81%
Home Value
$152,300 ↓ 45%
$1,420/mo ↑ 53%
Owner Costs
$929/mo ↓ 35%
394,769
Population
276,397

Tax Comparison

0%
Income Tax
10.9%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
1.6%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

22.7%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Arlington, TX and Buffalo, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 95 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $400/month cheaper in Buffalo, saving renters about $4,800/year.

Median household income is $25,469/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Arlington is $276,400 compared to $152,300 in Buffalo.

Texas has no state income tax, giving Arlington residents a significant tax advantage over New York's 10.9% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Arlington vs Buffalo — common questions

Is Arlington or Buffalo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Buffalo is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 95 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Arlington and Buffalo?
Median rent in Arlington is $1,389/month and in Buffalo it's $989/month — a difference of $400/month.
Which city has higher income, Arlington or Buffalo?
Median household income is $73,519 in Arlington and $48,050 in Buffalo. Median household income is $25,469/year higher in Arlington.
How do taxes compare between Texas and New York?
Texas has 0% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 1.6% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to Arlington or Buffalo?
It depends on your priorities. Arlington has a cost index of 95 with median rent of $1,389/mo, while Buffalo has a cost index of 61 with rent of $989/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Arlington details → View Buffalo details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for Arlington and Buffalo

Arlington vs. Wichita Arlington vs. Tampa Arlington vs. Bakersfield Arlington vs. Aurora Arlington vs. Tulsa Arlington vs. New Orleans Buffalo vs. Chandler Buffalo vs. Madison Buffalo vs. Plano Buffalo vs. Chula Vista Buffalo vs. Durham Buffalo vs. Gilbert