2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Washington, DC vs Buffalo, NY

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Buffalo or is it cheaper to live in Washington?
- Buffalo is 39.4% less expensive than Washington.

Which city has more affordable housing, Buffalo or Washington?
- Buffalo housing costs are 72.9% less expensive than Washington housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Washington or is Health Care more affordable in Buffalo.
- Health related expenses are 10.2% more in Buffalo.
 Washington, DCBuffalo, NYUnited States
 Overall  Unlock92.1100
 Food & Groceries114.1  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock105.2100
 Housing231.5  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$204,600$338,100
 Utilities106  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock102.4100
 Miscellaneous175.9  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Washington    97 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

Living in DC long term brings on a kind of insidious misery. A long, slow, simmering down of any natural optimism or desire for a better future. It’s a leach of a town  More

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Over 5 years ago

Parts are beautiful but alot is rundown and ghetto. They always show the monuments and upper nw neighborhoods but never show hoods across the Anacostia River. Crime is  More

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Moved to DC 40 years ago from Mpls-St. Paul. DC is an amazing town. Downside is people are very competitive, everything is expensive. Great restaurants, foodie heaven  More

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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

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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

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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

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