($1,502) Movers From San Francisco, CA to Buffalo, NY

What to know before moving from San Francisco to Buffalo

Moving from San Francisco to Buffalo means adjusting to a different pace of life — and a different price tag. On average, it costs significantly more to live in San Francisco than in Buffalo, making the move an opportunity for many to enjoy a lower cost of living.

Check out how San Francisco compares to Buffalo so you know what to expect before you relocate:

• Rent prices in Buffalo are 63% lower than in San Francisco, which means you’ll have more money in your pocket each month.
• In terms of homeownership, you’ll be able to get more for your money in Buffalo.
  Home prices in Buffalo are 82.8% lower than in San Francisco.
• Income in Buffalo is 53.6% lower than in San Francisco, so you could earn less for doing the same job. The top employers in Buffalo include UBS, Delaware North, and Human.
• The cost of living for a single person in Buffalo is 31.5% lower than in San Francisco. This includes routine expenses like utilities, groceries, clothing, and transportation.
• The cost of living for a family in Buffalo is 34.4% lower than in San Francisco.
• The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 75.93% higher than in San Francisco.
• You’ll spend more on retail and restaurants in Buffalo, since the city’s sales taxes in Buffalo are 1.39% higher than in San Francisco.
• One perk of moving to Buffalo is paying less in state income taxes, which are 18.05% lower than in San Francisco.

To put this in perspective, you would need around $2,054.22 in Buffalo to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with $3,000.00 in San Francisco.

How life is different in San Francisco vs. Buffalo

• Buffalo's population is about 66% less than San Francisco.
• Buffalo's public transportation has a score of 7 out of 10 versus San Francisco's higher score of 10.
• Buffalo is less walkable than San Francisco with a score of 67 out of 100 vs San Francisco's 99 out of 100.
• Buffalo has a bike-friendliness score 63 out of 100, which means it isn't as accessible to and safe for cyclists as San Francisco, which has a score of 99 out of 100.
• Buffalo's crime rate is lower than San Francisco with a score of 8.0 compared to San Francisco's 61.41. This means that Buffalo neighborhoods are safer than 8.0% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and San Francisco neighborhoods are safer than 61.41%.
• Buffalo is considered to be safer than San Francisco with a safety index of 53.55 vs San Francisco's 38.59.
• Air quality in Buffalo is moderate, and in San Francisco it's moderate.

Other things to consider for your San Francisco vs. Buffalo move

• Weather: Best months to move to Buffalo are August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Buffalo, while January and December are the least comfortable months due to extreme winter weather.
• HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
• Elevator reservation: If your building has an elevator you'll want to check on how to reserve it for move day.
• Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
• State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
• State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status through the state's public utilities commission.
• Moving permits: New York does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
• Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to Buffalo. Get started here.
• Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance.Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
• Moving checklist: Our moving checklist will help you have the peace of mind that you've got everything covered.

Where to live in Buffalo

Now that you've decided to make the move to "Queen City", these are the best neighborhoods to move to in Buffalo.

Helpful moving resources