salaryBuffalo is the 2nd-largest city in New York that we track, with 276,854 residents. Rent is lower than in 64% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.0 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 19.9 minutes. Most households rent (57%), so there are plenty of rental options.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $55,880 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New York cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New York. It is number 77 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
Compare Buffalo with other big cities
Compare Buffalo to 149 other cities →
How much do households earn in Buffalo?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Buffalo
| Size | Buffalo | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,018 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,001 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,121 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,240 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,486 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Buffalo overall?
Everyday prices in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area are 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.8, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Buffalo
Life in Buffalo
What jobs pay in Buffalo
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $137,900 | 12.2% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,220 | 12.7% |
| Lawyer | $130,800 | 12.8% |
| Software Developer | $127,850 | 13.1% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,360 | 13.3% |
| Operations Manager | $103,280 | 16.2% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $101,660 | 16.5% |
| Registered Nurse | $99,060 | 16.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $97,060 | 17.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,470 | 20.3% |
| Accountant | $82,120 | 20.4% |
| Police Officer | $80,950 | 20.7% |
| Electrician | $77,930 | 21.5% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $76,490 | 21.9% |
| Market Research Analyst | $75,990 | 22.1% |
| Firefighter | $74,470 | 22.5% |
| Plumber | $72,230 | 23.2% |
| Carpenter | $63,500 | 26.4% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,370 | 26.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,180 | 27.0% |
| Truck Driver | $59,440 | 28.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,580 | 36.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,520 | 36.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $44,650 | 37.5% |
| Warehouse Worker | $43,130 | 38.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $39,790 | 42.1% |
| Restaurant Cook | $38,060 | 44.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,910 | 48.0% |
| Cashier | $33,850 | 49.5% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Buffalo?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $258 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $164,200 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,420 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Buffalo, NY?
Renting in Buffalo costs a median of about $1,397 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Buffalo?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,880 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Buffalo cheap or expensive?
Buffalo is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.1% of the typical household income of $53,969. It ranks 77th cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Buffalo?
The median homeowner in Buffalo pays $1,622 a year in property taxes, about 0.99% of the median home value.
Is Buffalo more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 4% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Buffalo?
The median home value in Buffalo is $164,200, about 3.0 times the typical yearly household income.
276,854 people live in Buffalo. Numbers are typical (middle) values.