Tempe vs Buffalo: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Tempe, Arizona compare to Buffalo, New York? 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 189% higher in Tempe compared to Buffalo, while rent is 56% higher. State income tax is 2.5% in AZ vs 10.9% in NY.
| Metric | Tempe, AZ | Buffalo, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $382,100 | $132,100 | +189.3% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,472 | $942 | +56.3% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $72,022 | $46,184 | +55.9% |
| Per Capita Income | $40,495 | $29,558 | +37.0% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 2.5% | 10.9% | -77.1% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.4% | 8.5% | -1.8% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 181,005 | 276,688 | -34.6% |
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 — Tempe
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 — 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.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Tempe costs $382,100 compared to $132,100 in Buffalo — a 189% premium.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,472/mo in Tempe vs $942/mo in Buffalo.
- Income: Median household income is $72,022 in Tempe and $46,184 in Buffalo.
- Taxes: State income tax is 2.5% in Arizona vs 10.9% in New York.
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).