Quick answer
Buffalo costs $55/month less overall ($1,635 vs $1,690/mo). But Des Moines's 4.82% state income tax erases some of that gap — on an $80K salary, the tax difference is $1,360/year.
City Comparison · 2026
Buffalo vs Des Moines
Side-by-side on rent, home prices, taxes, walkability, jobs, and climate — with a straight verdict for each type of mover.
Last updated: April 23, 2026
Buffalo vs Des Moines at a Glance
| Metric | Buffalo | Des Moines |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Monthly Rent | $1,100 ✓ | $1,350 |
| 2BR Monthly Rent | $1,400 | $1,350 ✓ |
| Median Home Price | $215K ✓ | $245K |
| Avg Utilities/mo | $165 ✓ | $170 |
| Avg Groceries/mo | $370 ✓ | $370 |
| Monthly Cost (1BR) | $1,635 ✓ | $1,690 |
| Walk Score | 68/100 ✓ | 45/100 |
| Transit Score | 49/100 ✓ | 29/100 |
| State Income Tax | 10.9% (top) | 4.82% ✓ |
Monthly cost = 1BR rent + utilities + groceries for one person. ✓ marks the lower/better value.
Cost of Living: What the Numbers Actually Mean
Rent gap: Buffalo's 1BR averages $1,100/month vs $1,150 in Des Moines — a $50/month difference, or $600/year. That's close enough that neighborhood choice within each city matters more than the city-level average.
State tax: Des Moines charges 4.82% state income tax vs 10.9% (top) in Buffalo. On an $80K salary that's a $1,360/year difference. On $120K, the gap grows to $7,800 vs $5,760 — important context if you're choosing between tech job offers.
Home buying: Median homes in Buffalo are $215K vs $245K in Des Moines. At a 20% down payment, that's a $6,000 difference in upfront cash — significant at early-career savings rates.
Utilities: Des Moines utilities run $5 more per month than Buffalo.
Walkability, Transit & Daily Life
Buffalo, NY
Buffalo's walkability means you can genuinely live without a car in the right neighborhoods.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Des Moines, IA
Des Moines is partially walkable in denser neighborhoods but car-dependent in most areas.
TOP NEIGHBORHOODS
Climate
Buffalo
Cold winters with lake-effect snow averaging 94"/year; short summers; frequent gray cloud cover
Des Moines
Cold winters with wind chills reaching -20°F; warm summers; defined seasons.
Job Market
Buffalo top industries
Des Moines top industries
Who Should Pick Which City
Move to Buffalo if…
- →You're a Architecture enthusiasts (Frank Lloyd Wright, pre-Prohibition era buildings)
- →You're a Healthcare professionals drawn to Roswell Park and medical innovation
- →You're a Tech workers relocating to Tesla Gigafactory or startup ecosystems
- →You're a Families seeking affordable homes in revitalized neighborhoods
- →You want to live without a car
- →You're buying a home and want more for your money
Move to Des Moines if…
- →You're a Insurance and financial services professionals
- →You're a Families seeking excellent schools and safety
- →You're a Anyone valuing Midwestern hospitality and community
- →You're a Young professionals interested in startup culture
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buffalo or Des Moines cheaper to live in?
Buffalo is cheaper overall. Monthly costs (1BR rent + utilities + groceries) run $1,635 in Buffalo vs $1,690 in Des Moines — a $55/month difference.
Which city is more walkable — Buffalo or Des Moines?
Buffalo is more walkable with a Walk Score of 68/100 vs 45/100. Des Moines is more car-dependent.
Buffalo vs Des Moines: which has lower state income tax?
Des Moines has lower state income tax (4.82%). On an $80K salary, that saves $1,360/year vs Buffalo (10.9% (top)).
Is Buffalo or Des Moines better for buying a home?
Buffalo has lower median home prices at $215K vs $245K in Des Moines — a $30,000 difference on the median home.