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

El Paso

Texas
67
VS

Buffalo

New York
61

El Paso is 10% more expensive than Buffalo.

$1,041/mo ↑ 5%
Median Rent
$989/mo ↓ 5%
$58,734/yr ↑ 22%
Median Income
$48,050/yr ↓ 18%
$171,700 ↑ 13%
Home Value
$152,300 ↓ 11%
$1,044/mo ↑ 12%
Owner Costs
$929/mo ↓ 11%
678,147
Population
276,397

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

21.3%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing El Paso, TX and Buffalo, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 67 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $52/month cheaper in Buffalo, saving renters about $624/year.

Median household income is $10,684/year higher in El Paso. Home values also differ significantly — the median in El Paso is $171,700 compared to $152,300 in Buffalo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso vs Buffalo — common questions

Is El Paso or Buffalo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Buffalo is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 67 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between El Paso and Buffalo?
Median rent in El Paso is $1,041/month and in Buffalo it's $989/month — a difference of $52/month.
Which city has higher income, El Paso or Buffalo?
Median household income is $58,734 in El Paso and $48,050 in Buffalo. Median household income is $10,684/year higher in El Paso.
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 El Paso or Buffalo?
It depends on your priorities. El Paso has a cost index of 67 with median rent of $1,041/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 El Paso details → View Buffalo details →

More Comparisons

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