Buffalo vs Clarksville: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Buffalo, New York compare to Clarksville, Tennessee? 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 38% lower in Buffalo compared to Clarksville, while rent is 16% lower. TN has no state income tax.
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Clarksville, TN | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $132,100 | $213,200 | -38.0% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $942 | $1,119 | -15.8% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $46,184 | $62,688 | -26.3% |
| Per Capita Income | $29,558 | $29,481 | same |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 10.9% | None | same |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.5% | 9.5% | -10.8% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 276,688 | 167,882 | +64.8% |
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 — Clarksville
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 $213,200 in Clarksville — a 38% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $942/mo in Buffalo vs $1,119/mo in Clarksville.
- Income: Median household income is $46,184 in Buffalo and $62,688 in Clarksville.
- Taxes: Tennessee has no state income tax, while New York has a 10.9% rate.
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).