Cost of Living in Buffalo, New York

Buffalo, the second largest city in New York, is rarely recognized for its livability. Amazing landscapes and waterfront views are two small things that make this city a beautiful place to live. Buffalo lies in close proximity to Lake Erie and the Niagara River, providing breathtaking views from both homes and offices. About twenty minutes from Buffalo you will find beautiful Niagara Falls, a popular tourist attraction in this area of New York. During the winter months, Buffalo is a popular tourist destination because of its great areas for skiing and ice fishing. While Buffalo is a perfect vacation destination, is it also an affordable place to live? Researching the Cost of Living in Buffalo, New York can help you evaluate whether moving to Buffalo is right for you.

Overall, the Cost of Living in Buffalo, New York is only four percent higher than the national average. The high cost of utilities is the only drawback to living in Buffalo, most likely due to the cost of heating your home during cold winter months. In comparison, the Cost of Living in New York City is 112 percent higher than the national average. If given the opportunity to live in either New York City or Buffalo, it is clear that the most economical choice would be Buffalo. If you're planning a weekend visit to New York City, prepare for a long drive - 438 miles separate Buffalo from New York City. A better weekend getaway might be a trip across the Canadian border; Toronto is only about 60 miles away.

Salaries in Buffalo, New York

Though the population in Buffalo has been on the decline over the past fifty years, there are still many career opportunities in Buffalo. Automobile manufacturing has always been a large part of the local economy. One Ford and two Chevrolet plants provide jobs to many engineers in Buffalo. Median mechanical engineer salaries are $51,899, a fair wage considering the relatively low cost of living. Other Salaries in Buffalo are reasonable as well, especially for lawyers, who have the highest median salaries in the city. When researching Lawyer Salaries by Practice Area it is clear that those involved in litigation and appeals have the highest median salary among lawyers in Buffalo.

Living in Buffalo, New York

There are many advantages to living in Buffalo, New York. More than beautiful winters and amazing landscapes, the city itself has many positive attributes. Diverse culture has provided the city of Buffalo with interesting annual festivals, many art galleries and a wide variety of restaurants. In addition, there are many small cities with similar charm surrounding Buffalo. One of these cities is East Aurora, about 20 miles outside of Buffalo. One of the draws of living in East Aurora is that the median salary is $5,000 higher than in Buffalo. When researching Median Salaries by City, you can see the Buffalo and East Aurora have the highest salaries in this area. In addition to higher pay, East Aurora also has a very short commute time. A simple fifteen minute drive compared to the 20 minute Average Commute Time in Buffalo is a boasting point for this smaller city.