Buffalo vs Baton Rouge: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Buffalo, New York compare to Baton Rouge, Louisiana? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Buffalo is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 39% lower in Buffalo compared to Baton Rouge, while rent is 7% lower. State income tax is 10.9% in NY vs 4.25% in LA.
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Baton Rouge, LA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $132,100 | $217,700 | -39.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 | $1,010 | -6.7% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $50,155 | -7.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $29,558 | $33,910 | -12.8% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 10.9% | 4.3% | +156.5% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.5% | 9.6% | -10.9% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 276,688 | 225,500 | +22.7% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Buffalo
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Baton Rouge
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Buffalo costs $132,100 compared to $217,700 in Baton Rouge — a 39% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $942/mo in Buffalo vs $1,010/mo in Baton Rouge.
- Income: Median household income is $46,184 in Buffalo and $50,155 in Baton Rouge.
- Taxes: State income tax is 10.9% in New York vs 4.25% in Louisiana.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).