Watertown, NY vs Buffalo, NY: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Buffalo, NY is 9.3% more expensive than Watertown, NY (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Watertown works out to about $82,000 in Buffalo, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 52.3% more in Buffalo. Goods are 0.0% higher and other services 0.0% higher.
- Typical asking rent is $1,451 a month in Buffalo and $1,496 in Watertown, nearly the same (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $287,000 in Buffalo and $234,000 in Watertown.
- The gap has widened since 2019, when Buffalo was 0.5% less expensive than Watertown.
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 52.3% higher in Buffalo than in Watertown
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Watertown, NY
- Buffalo, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Watertown, NY | Buffalo, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.7 | 95.8 |
| Goods | 99.7 | 99.7 |
| Housing (rents) | 53.2 | 81.0 |
| Utilities | 132.2 | 129.5 |
| Other services | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| Category | Watertown | Buffalo | Buffalo vs Watertown |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 87.7 | 95.8 | +9.3% |
| Goods | 99.7 | 99.7 | 0.0% |
| Housing (rents) | 53.2 | 81.0 | +52.3% |
| Utilities | 132.2 | 129.5 | −2.0% |
| Other services | 97.8 | 97.8 | 0.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,496 | $1,451 | −3.0% |
| Typical home value | $234,000 | $287,000 | +22.8% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Watertown | $75,000 | $82,000 | +9.3% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Watertown and Buffalo has widened since 2008: 3.5 points then, 8.2 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Watertown, NY
- Buffalo, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Watertown, NY | Buffalo, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 93.5 | 97.0 |
| 2009 | 96.8 | 97.7 |
| 2010 | 96.8 | 96.2 |
| 2011 | 99.0 | 96.1 |
| 2012 | 98.8 | 96.2 |
| 2013 | 97.3 | 97.3 |
| 2014 | 97.1 | 94.8 |
| 2015 | 97.2 | 97.7 |
| 2016 | 98.4 | 97.5 |
| 2017 | 98.5 | 97.3 |
| 2018 | 96.8 | 95.6 |
| 2019 | 95.0 | 94.6 |
| 2020 | 90.7 | 94.2 |
| 2021 | 93.7 | 94.9 |
| 2022 | 93.9 | 94.0 |
| 2023 | 90.9 | 94.9 |
| 2024 | 87.7 | 95.8 |
Goods
- Watertown, NY
- Buffalo, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Watertown, NY | Buffalo, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.3 | 101.3 |
| 2009 | 101.5 | 101.5 |
| 2010 | 98.3 | 98.3 |
| 2011 | 98.0 | 98.0 |
| 2012 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 2013 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2014 | 97.0 | 97.0 |
| 2015 | 98.7 | 98.7 |
| 2016 | 98.1 | 98.1 |
| 2017 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2018 | 100.1 | 100.1 |
| 2019 | 97.1 | 97.1 |
| 2020 | 98.6 | 98.6 |
| 2021 | 95.4 | 95.4 |
| 2022 | 96.4 | 96.4 |
| 2023 | 97.4 | 97.4 |
| 2024 | 99.7 | 99.7 |
Housing (rents)
- Watertown, NY
- Buffalo, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Watertown, NY | Buffalo, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 64.4 | 73.4 |
| 2009 | 78.8 | 78.2 |
| 2010 | 83.4 | 77.2 |
| 2011 | 95.3 | 78.9 |
| 2012 | 95.7 | 80.0 |
| 2013 | 83.9 | 80.6 |
| 2014 | 91.1 | 76.6 |
| 2015 | 83.1 | 81.6 |
| 2016 | 89.5 | 80.3 |
| 2017 | 87.1 | 75.6 |
| 2018 | 85.8 | 75.8 |
| 2019 | 81.9 | 74.6 |
| 2020 | 64.6 | 71.1 |
| 2021 | 73.2 | 76.2 |
| 2022 | 81.3 | 78.6 |
| 2023 | 64.2 | 76.0 |
| 2024 | 53.2 | 81.0 |
Utilities
- Watertown, NY
- Buffalo, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Watertown, NY | Buffalo, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 142.5 | 134.3 |
| 2009 | 142.1 | 136.6 |
| 2010 | 138.9 | 132.3 |
| 2011 | 136.4 | 131.7 |
| 2012 | 130.4 | 125.4 |
| 2013 | 132.8 | 127.2 |
| 2014 | 133.2 | 124.8 |
| 2015 | 123.9 | 118.1 |
| 2016 | 123.2 | 119.0 |
| 2017 | 126.7 | 122.7 |
| 2018 | 133.4 | 130.9 |
| 2019 | 132.2 | 130.4 |
| 2020 | 131.7 | 130.1 |
| 2021 | 131.5 | 129.9 |
| 2022 | 130.1 | 127.4 |
| 2023 | 128.7 | 128.5 |
| 2024 | 132.2 | 129.5 |
Other services
- Watertown, NY
- Buffalo, NY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Watertown, NY | Buffalo, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 100.7 | 100.7 |
| 2009 | 100.6 | 100.6 |
| 2010 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2011 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2012 | 99.6 | 99.6 |
| 2013 | 101.4 | 101.4 |
| 2014 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
| 2015 | 101.2 | 101.2 |
| 2016 | 101.7 | 101.7 |
| 2017 | 102.7 | 102.7 |
| 2018 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2019 | 98.4 | 98.4 |
| 2020 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2021 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| 2022 | 96.7 | 96.7 |
| 2023 | 99.2 | 99.2 |
| 2024 | 97.8 | 97.8 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $1,451 in Buffalo vs $1,496 in Watertown
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Watertown, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Watertown, NY | Buffalo, NY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $815 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $841 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $842 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $826 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $835 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $880 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $854 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $850 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $878 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $899 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $898 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $905 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $912 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $929 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $928 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $932 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $947 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $968 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $967 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $970 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $987 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,022 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,030 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,028 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | – | $1,061 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | – | $1,100 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | – | $1,132 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | – | $1,140 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,212 | $1,172 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,207 | $1,205 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,241 | $1,231 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,215 | $1,232 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,253 | $1,258 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,292 | $1,277 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,289 | $1,297 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,263 | $1,300 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,336 | $1,325 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,343 | $1,339 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,334 | $1,357 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,331 | $1,360 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,358 | $1,369 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,367 | $1,389 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,392 | $1,397 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,412 | $1,398 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,458 | $1,423 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,458 | $1,431 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,496 | $1,451 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $287,000 in Buffalo vs $234,000 in Watertown
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Watertown, NY
- Buffalo, NY
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Watertown, NY | Buffalo, NY | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $146K | $134K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $147K | $135K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $148K | $138K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $146K | $140K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $147K | $141K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $146K | $142K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $145K | $144K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $145K | $147K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $144K | $149K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $143K | $151K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $145K | $154K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $146K | $157K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $146K | $160K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $148K | $163K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $151K | $166K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $150K | $166K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $151K | $168K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $152K | $171K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $154K | $173K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $156K | $175K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $157K | $178K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $158K | $180K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $159K | $186K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $167K | $195K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $172K | $202K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $177K | $213K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $179K | $218K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $179K | $217K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $186K | $227K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $196K | $239K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $199K | $243K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $199K | $241K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $197K | $240K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $199K | $246K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $205K | $252K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $209K | $255K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $209K | $258K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $216K | $264K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $220K | $268K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $221K | $270K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $220K | $271K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $220K | $273K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $221K | $277K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $222K | $280K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $225K | $282K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $232K | $285K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $234K | $287K | $366K |
More about each city
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.