Cost of Living in Buffalo vs Chicago

Cost of living in Buffalo is 20% lower than in Chicago (without rent).

Rent in Buffalo is 25% cheaper than in Chicago.

Cost of living including rent in Buffalo is 23% lower than in Chicago.

Food in Buffalo is 11% cheaper than in Chicago.

Transport in Buffalo is 44% cheaper than in Chicago.

Buffalo vs. Chicago Comparision

Buffalo Chicago
Cost of Living, including rent
2,051 $
2,667 $
Without Rent
867 $
1,087 $
Rent & Utilities
1,183 $
1,579 $
Food
623 $
700 $
Transport
114 $
205 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
3,349 $
4,901 $
Quality of Life
85
96
Population
278.0K
2.8M

Compare other cities?

Buffalo Chicago

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
20 $ 21 $
Dinner, for 2 59.9 $ 87.3 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 10 $ 11.7 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 4.38 $ 7.62 $
Capuccino 4.95 $ 5.4 $
Coke, 330ml 2.49 $ 3.12 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 0.94 $ 1.02 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 3.73 $ 3.92 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.84 $ 5 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3 $ 3.69 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.5 $ 14.8 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 10.7 $ 12.8 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.7 $ 19.9 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.69 $ 4.97 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.58 $ 1.91 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.07 $ 4.81 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.12 $ 2.34 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.93 $ 3.08 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.39 $ 1.93 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.49 $ 2.86 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 14.9 $ 14.8 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.74 $ 2.9 $
Cigarette pack 11.3 $ 16.6 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 1.99 $ 2.49 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 93.9 $ 76.5 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.97 $ 1.12 $
Taxi, 8 km 23.4 $ 16.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 87.6 $ 126 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 11.7 $ 11.6 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 5.88 $ 6.03 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 4.1 $ 3.65 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2.93 $ 1.81 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
108 $ 102 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
168 $ 156 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
64.4 $ 59.1 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 971 $ 1,280 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 1,567 $ 2,594 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,173 $ 1,974 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 1,654 $ 3,828 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 4,179 $ 3,554 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 3,538 $ 3,158 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 3,349 $ 4,901 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.59 % 6.61 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 34.8 $ 63.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 14.5 $ 15 $
Haircut 14.3 $ 29.3 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 76 $ 95.5 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 43.8 $ 62.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 1,098 $ 2,457 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 18,013 $ 19,423 $