Is Buffalo expensive to live in?

Buffalo is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $849 per month ranks #94 of 112 and is 21% lower than the $1,080 median.

What is the average rent in Buffalo?

Average rent in Buffalo, NY runs a studio around $812, a one-bedroom around $849, a two-bedroom around $954, a three-bedroom around $1,080 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Buffalo?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $849 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year. The median household income here is $48,050.

How much does it cost to live in Buffalo per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Buffalo is about $1,150 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Cost of Living in Buffalo, NY

Population 276,397 · New York

~$1,150/mo est.1BR $849Home $152,300

Photo: Shamir Hunley / Unsplash

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The cost of living in Buffalo, NY is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $849 a month — 21% lower than the $1,080 median across the 112 large US cities we track. Studios average $812 and two-bedrooms $954.

Median household income here is $48,050, 31% lower than the $69,423 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,150 before food and transport. New York has a top state income tax rate of 10.90% and a 4% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $849

Studio

$812

1 Bedroom

$849

2 Bedroom

$954

3 Bedroom

$1,080

Buying a Home$152,300

Median Home Value

$152,300

Income$48,050

Median Household Income

$48,050

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$50,790

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesNortheast

Milk (gal)

$4.31

Bread (lb)

$1.92

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

Average prices, Northeast (BLS, 2026-07-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities29.9¢/kWh

Electricity

29.9¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$22.74/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-05-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.04/gal

Regular Gasoline (New York)

$4.04/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-08-17.

State Taxes (NY)4% sales

State Sales Tax

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 10.90%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime770.5 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

770.5

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

4,003.2

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Buffalo Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 34.3 yrs

Median Age

34.3 yrs

Homeownership

42.7%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

Avg Commute

19.9 min

Climate48.3°F

Avg Annual Temperature

48.3°F

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

Buffalo cost of living — FAQ

Is Buffalo expensive to live in?: Buffalo is among the more affordable of the 112 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $849 per month ranks #94 of 112 and is 21% lower than the $1,080 median.
What is the average rent in Buffalo?: Average rent in Buffalo, NY runs a studio around $812, a one-bedroom around $849, a two-bedroom around $954, a three-bedroom around $1,080 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Buffalo?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $849 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year. The median household income here is $48,050.
How much does it cost to live in Buffalo per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Buffalo is about $1,150 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Buffalo with nearby cities

Buffalo vs Rochester Buffalo vs Cleveland Buffalo vs Pittsburgh Buffalo vs Detroit Buffalo vs Allentown Buffalo vs Frederick

Nearby cities

Rochester, NY 67 mi Cleveland, OH 173 mi Pittsburgh, PA 179 mi Detroit, MI 215 mi Allentown, PA 235 mi Frederick, MD 252 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.