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

San Antonio

Texas
82
VS

Buffalo

New York
61

San Antonio is 34% more expensive than Buffalo.

$1,258/mo ↑ 27%
Median Rent
$989/mo ↓ 21%
$62,917/yr ↑ 31%
Median Income
$48,050/yr ↓ 24%
$219,700 ↑ 44%
Home Value
$152,300 ↓ 31%
$1,235/mo ↑ 33%
Owner Costs
$929/mo ↓ 25%
1,458,954
Population
276,397

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

24.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing San Antonio, TX and Buffalo, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 82 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $269/month cheaper in Buffalo, saving renters about $3,228/year.

Median household income is $14,867/year higher in San Antonio. Home values also differ significantly — the median in San Antonio is $219,700 compared to $152,300 in Buffalo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

San Antonio vs Buffalo — common questions

Is San Antonio or Buffalo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Buffalo is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 82 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Buffalo?
Median rent in San Antonio is $1,258/month and in Buffalo it's $989/month — a difference of $269/month.
Which city has higher income, San Antonio or Buffalo?
Median household income is $62,917 in San Antonio and $48,050 in Buffalo. Median household income is $14,867/year higher in San Antonio.
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 San Antonio or Buffalo?
It depends on your priorities. San Antonio has a cost index of 82 with median rent of $1,258/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 San Antonio details → View Buffalo details →

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