2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Rock Island, IL vs Buffalo, NY

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or is it cheaper to live in Rock Island?
- Buffalo is 21.7% more expensive than Rock Island.

Which city has more affordable housing, Buffalo or Rock Island?
- Buffalo housing costs are 88.6% more expensive than Rock Island housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Rock Island or is Health Care more affordable in Buffalo.
- Health related expenses are 11.6% more in Buffalo.
 Rock Island, ILBuffalo, NYUnited States
 Overall  Unlock92.1100
 Food & Groceries92.3  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock105.2100
 Housing33.3  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$204,600$338,100
 Utilities90  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock102.4100
 Miscellaneous119.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Rock Island    3 Reviews

Over 17 years ago

Pros: 1. Extremely low cost of living 2. Affordable place to live Cons: 1. High crime rate 2. Poor school system 3. Not much to  More

   |    Reply

Rock Island has a varied background and contains many cultural and historic areas. It has been improving its school system and is in a metropolitan area which contains  More

   |    Reply

Over 19 years ago

I just moved here for work one year ago. Moving from San Francisco here was a shock but ultimatelly good. The community is a typical midwestern small town. It is part  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Rock Island

Reviews for Buffalo    94 Reviews

Over 3 years ago

Clean, fun, safe and unique. Great place to raise a family. Affordable housing, strong job market. Great schools and neighborhoods.  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

Buffalo was okay in 2016. Since then, crime is up, there are more methadone clinics than pediatricians, and so many of the small businesses that made this place charming  More

   |    Reply

Over 3 years ago

This city is just plain beautiful. Sure, it might not be New York or Albany. But it's Buffalo. Place is a God-send. You want to see the Falls and the Bills? Come here.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Buffalo


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.