Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Buffalo-Cheektowaga

Cost of Living Comparison

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$7,241
Rent (2BR) -$22,224
Net Income $40,535

To match your lifestyle in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, you'd need:

$45,932

The Verdict

Cost of Living Index

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos 126.4
Buffalo-Cheektowaga 76.0
Cheaper Avg (100) Pricier

Purchasing Power

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos $32,079
Buffalo-Cheektowaga $57,133

Buffalo-Cheektowaga

Gross Salary $70,000
Tax -$10,486
Rent (2BR) -$16,116
Net Income $43,398

To match your lifestyle in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, you'd need:

$110,588

The Bottom Line

On a $70,000 salary, you would have $2,863 more per year in Buffalo-Cheektowaga compared to Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos. You'd pay $3,245 more in taxes in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, while housing costs 27% less. The cost of living in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is 26% above avg, while Buffalo-Cheektowaga is 24% below avg, making Buffalo-Cheektowaga the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos feels like earning $45,932 in Buffalo-Cheektowaga once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Buffalo-Cheektowaga has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Buffalo-Cheektowaga ($22,621 vs $20,930 avg in-state tuition).

K-12 Schools

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
Schools
541
263
Enrollment
345,378
155,801
Pupil:Teacher
0:1
0:1
Charter %
13.8%
6%
Title I %
0%
0%

Colleges & Universities

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
Buffalo-Cheektowaga
Institutions
31
23
In-State Tuition
$22,621
$20,930
Out-of-State
$28,276
$23,649
Grad Rate
58.5%
53.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos or Buffalo-Cheektowaga more expensive?

Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is more expensive with a cost of living index of 126.4 vs 76.0 (national average = 100).

What salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga equals $70,000 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos?

You would need to earn approximately $45,932 in Buffalo-Cheektowaga to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.

How much is rent in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos vs Buffalo-Cheektowaga?

Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $22,224 in Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos and $16,116 in Buffalo-Cheektowaga—housing is 27% less in Buffalo-Cheektowaga.