Buffalo vs Madison: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Buffalo, NY and Madison, WI, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Buffalo, NY | Madison, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 276,688 | 268,516 |
| Median household income | $46,184 | $74,895 |
| Median home value | $132,100 | $326,600 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $942 | $1,291 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Buffalo, NY and Madison, WI comes down to what you value most. Buffalo has the lower median home value, and Buffalo has the lower median rent.
Madison has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or Madison?
- By median home value, Buffalo is the cheaper of the two ($132,100 vs $326,600). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Buffalo or Madison?
- Median household income is $46,184 in Buffalo versus $74,895 in Madison, per the US Census Bureau.