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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Buffalo, NY: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

4.2% below

Cost of living in Buffalo is 4.2% below the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area (index 95.8; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Buffalo is $1,142 a month.

Cost of living in Buffalo by category

Overall prices

95.8U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

−4.2% vs. U.S.

Goods
99.7 −0.3%
Housing (rents)
81.0 −19.0%
Utilities
129.5 +29.5%
Other services
97.8 −2.2%

BEA 2024 · Buffalo metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,142/mo

Median gross rent

−23% vs. U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$966 −26% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,175 −21% vs. U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,217 −27% vs. U.S.
Median home value
$187,000 −48% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$1,238 −39% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$167/mo

Average electric bill

+6% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
29.9¢/kWh +63% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$22.25/Mcf +15% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
129.5

EIA July 2026 · New York statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

19.2min

Mean travel time to work

−29% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
62.6%
Work from home
11%
Gasoline (New York)
$4.36/gal About the same as U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$289/wk

Center care, infant

+67% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$275/wk +79% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$255/wk +77% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$200/wk +40% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Erie County Details: Child care

Income

$52,211/yr

Median household income

−36% vs. U.S.

Median rent as share of income
26%
Home value to income
3.6×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Buffalo

Median gross rent in Buffalo is $1,142 a month, 23% below the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,000–$1,249 range, which holds 24.5% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 39.3% pay $1,250 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $187,000, and 1.4% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Buffalo vs. New York vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Buffalo: $1,142; New York: $1,634; U.S.: $1,487 Buffalo $1,142 New York $1,634 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Buffalo: $1,238; New York: $2,544; U.S.: $2,035 Buffalo $1,238 New York $2,544 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Buffalo: $187,000; New York: $449,800; U.S.: $360,600 Buffalo $187,000 New York $449,800 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureBuffaloNew YorkU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,142$1,634$1,487
Monthly owner costs$1,238$2,544$2,035
Median home value$187,000$449,800$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Buffalo

What renters pay in Buffalo Share of renter households paying cash rent in Buffalo by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 7.7%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 0.3%. Median $1,142. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 7.7% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 8% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 20.4% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 24.5% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 18% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 15.7% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 2.4% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 2.9% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 0% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 0.3% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,142 (Buffalo) 24.5%
Show the data table
RangeBuffaloU.S.
Less than $5007.7%6.1%
$500–$7498%6.8%
$750–$99920.4%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24924.5%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49918%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99915.7%22.2%
$2,000–$2,4992.4%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9992.9%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4990%3.2%
$3,500 or more0.3%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Buffalo

Home values in Buffalo Share of owner-occupied homes in Buffalo by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 19.6%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 0.5%. Median $187,000. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $100,000: 19.6% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 19.1% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 14.6% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 11.8% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 8.1% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 10.3% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 4.8% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 7.5% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 2.7% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 0.9% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 0.5% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $187,000 (Buffalo) 19.6%
Show the data table
RangeBuffaloU.S.
Less than $100,00019.6%10.2%
$100,000–$149,99919.1%5.7%
$150,000–$199,99914.6%7.5%
$200,000–$249,99911.8%8.4%
$250,000–$299,9998.1%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99910.3%15.9%
$400,000–$499,9994.8%12%
$500,000–$749,9997.5%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9992.7%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9990.9%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more0.5%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Buffalo

Measure Buffalo New York U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,142$1,634$1,487
1-bedroom rent $966$1,530$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,175$1,634$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,217$1,852$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $1,238$2,544$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Buffalo?

At the median, rent takes about 26% of household income in Buffalo. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $45,700 a year.

The median home is worth $187,000, or 3.6 times the median household income.

Household income in Buffalo

The median household in Buffalo earns $52,211 a year, 36% below the U.S. median of $81,604. About 6.3% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 25% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Buffalo vs. New York vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Buffalo: $52,211; New York: $85,820; U.S.: $81,604 Buffalo $52,211 New York $85,820 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureBuffaloNew YorkU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$52,211$85,820$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Buffalo

Household income distribution in Buffalo Share of households in Buffalo by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 8.4%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 6.3%. Median $52,211. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% Less than $10,000: 8.4% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 6.8% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 4.6% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 5.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 4.4% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 5.1% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 4% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 6.2% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 8.6% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 9.8% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 10.4% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 7.7% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 4% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 5.3% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 6.3% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $52,211 (Buffalo) 10.4%
Show the data table
RangeBuffaloU.S.
Less than $10,0008.4%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9996.8%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9994.6%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9995.2%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9994.4%3%
$30,000–$34,9995.1%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9994%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9996.2%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9993.2%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9998.6%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9999.8%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99910.4%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9997.7%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9994%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9995.3%9.7%
$200,000 or more6.3%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Buffalo New York U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $52,211$85,820$81,604
Median home value $187,000$449,800$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area scored 95.8 for all items. The highest category is utilities at 129.5; the lowest is housing rents at 81.0.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Buffalo metro area: 95.8; New York: 107.9; U.S.: 100.0 Buffalo metro area 95.8 New York 107.9 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Buffalo metro area: 99.7; New York: 107.3; U.S.: 99.6 Buffalo metro area 99.7 New York 107.3 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Buffalo metro area: 81.0; New York: 122.2; U.S.: 100.6 Buffalo metro area 81.0 New York 122.2 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Buffalo metro area: 129.5; New York: 134.4; U.S.: 98.4 Buffalo metro area 129.5 New York 134.4 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Buffalo metro area: 97.8; New York: 104.1; U.S.: 100.1 Buffalo metro area 97.8 New York 104.1 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureBuffalo metro areaNew YorkU.S.
All items95.8107.9100.0
Goods99.7107.399.6
Housing (rents)81.0122.2100.6
Utilities129.5134.498.4
Other services97.8104.1100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in New York paid an average of 29.9¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $167 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $22.25 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are New York averages rather than figures for Buffalo alone.

Energy prices: New York vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) New York: 29.9¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ New York 29.9¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) New York: $167; U.S.: $157 New York $167 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) New York: $22.25; U.S.: $19.40 New York $22.25 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureNew YorkU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)29.9¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$167$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$22.25$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Buffalo who commute spend an average of 19.2 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (62.6% of workers); 11% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $4.36 a gallon in New York in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Buffalo: Drove alone 62.6%, Carpooled 9.8%, Public transit 7.4%, Walked 5.4%, Bicycle 1.1%, Worked from home 11%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 2.8%. New York: Drove alone 48.7%, Carpooled 6.7%, Public transit 24.2%, Walked 5.8%, Bicycle 0.9%, Worked from home 11.8%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 2%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Buffalo: Drove alone. Buffalo Buffalo · Drove alone: 62.6% 62.6% Buffalo · Carpooled: 9.8% Buffalo · Public transit: 7.4% Buffalo · Walked: 5.4% Buffalo · Bicycle: 1.1% Buffalo · Worked from home: 11% Buffalo · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 2.8% New York New York · Drove alone: 48.7% 48.7% New York · Carpooled: 6.7% New York · Public transit: 24.2% 24.2% New York · Walked: 5.8% New York · Bicycle: 0.9% New York · Worked from home: 11.8% 11.8% New York · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 2% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationBuffaloNew YorkU.S.
Drove alone62.6%48.7%69.2%
Carpooled9.8%6.7%9.2%
Public transit7.4%24.2%3.7%
Walked5.4%5.8%2.4%
Bicycle1.1%0.9%0.5%
Worked from home11%11.8%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)2.8%2%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Buffalo

Travel time to work in Buffalo Share of workers who do not work from home in Buffalo by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 2.3%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 1.3%. Mean 19.2 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than 5 min: 2.3% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 13.6% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 17.5% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 22.4% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 17.8% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 9.6% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 10.2% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 1.1% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 0.9% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 1.6% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 1.8% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 1.3% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 19.2 min (Buffalo) 22.4%
Show the data table
RangeBuffaloU.S.
Less than 5 min2.3%2.8%
5–9 min13.6%9.4%
10–14 min17.5%13.1%
15–19 min22.4%15%
20–24 min17.8%14.1%
25–29 min9.6%7%
30–34 min10.2%13.7%
35–39 min1.1%3.4%
40–44 min0.9%4.1%
45–59 min1.6%8.3%
60–89 min1.8%6.3%
90 min or more1.3%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Buffalo

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $289 a week in Erie County, or $15,028 over 52 weeks. That is 67% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Erie County New York (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $289$247$174
Center-based care, toddler $275$230$153
Center-based care, preschool $255$200$144
Center-based care, school-age $215$194$120
Home-based family care, infant $200$190$143
Home-based family care, toddler $200$180$132
Home-based family care, preschool $198$175$131
Home-based family care, school-age $180$175$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Buffalo prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Buffalo?

Median rent is $966 for a one-bedroom and $1,175 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Buffalo?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 36.1% pay less than $1,000 a month, 58.2% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 5.6% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

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

To keep the median rent of $1,142 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $45,700 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Buffalo more expensive than the U.S. average?

No. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area at 95.8 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 4.2% below average. Housing rents score 81.0.

How long is the average commute in Buffalo?

19.2 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Buffalo?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $289 a week in Erie County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.