Living in Buffalo, Iowa
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Buffalo · Census data 2020–2024
Buffalo has 1,097 residents with a median age of 42. The median household income is $69,728 (7% lower than the Iowa median), the median home value is $122,100, the median rent is $804/month.
Buffalo is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Buffalo at a glance
- Population
- 1,097
- Median age
- 42State: 38.6
- Median household income
- $69,728State: $75,059
- Median home value
- $122,100State: $208,000
- Median rent
- $804/moState: $972
- Homeowners
- 76.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14.6%
- Average commute
- 29 min
Is Buffalo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 41% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.1%.
Cons: Median household income 7% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 29 minutes; a poverty rate of 18.8%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Buffalo
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Buffalo the median home value is $122,100, 63% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $804 per month, which is 21.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,058 a month in housing costs.
Buffalo median household income
The median household income in Buffalo is $69,728 and the income per person is $33,958. 18.8% of residents live below the poverty line (Iowa: 11.1%).
Housing in Buffalo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 552
- Owner-occupied
- 76.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 23.7%
- Vacant
- 12.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1958
- Average household size
- 2.26
Buffalo demographics
- Population
- 1,097
- Median age
- 42
- Under 18
- 27.7%
- 65 and older
- 17%
- Households
- 481
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 9.8%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Buffalo ›
Education in Buffalo
14.6% of adults 25 and older in Buffalo have a bachelor's degree or higher (Iowa: 31.4%), and 4.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Buffalo
- Unemployment rate
- 2.1%State: 3.6%
- Average commute
- 29 minState: 20 min
- Work from home
- 5.5%
- Drive alone
- 84.9%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 89.8%
Buffalo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 1,097 | $69,728 | $122,100 | $804 |
| Montpelier | 209 | $70,938 | $255,100 | — |
| Andalusia | 1,021 | $77,222 | $168,000 | $825 |
| Blue Grass | 1,972 | $92,981 | $222,500 | $1,229 |
| Edgington | 390 | $91,964 | $153,800 | — |
| Fairport | 109 | $108,393 | $217,300 | — |
| Walcott | 1,725 | $78,580 | $190,300 | $787 |
| Rock Island | 36,151 | $59,041 | $125,900 | $842 |
| Stockton | 170 | $49,500 | $100,000 | $825 |
More for people moving to Buffalo
Buffalo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Buffalo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Buffalo, IA?
The median household income in Buffalo is $69,728, 7% lower than the Iowa median of $75,059 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Buffalo?
The median home value in Buffalo is $122,100, compared with $208,000 in Iowa.
How much is rent in Buffalo?
The median gross rent in Buffalo is $804 per month, about 21.4% of household income.
Is Buffalo, IA a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 41% lower than the state median; unemployment of 2.1%. Minuses: median household income 7% lower than the Iowa median; an average commute of 29 minutes; a poverty rate of 18.8%.
What is the median age in Buffalo?
The median age in Buffalo is 42 years (Iowa: 38.6).
How long is the commute in Buffalo?
The average commute to work in Buffalo is 29 minutes; 5.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Buffalo?
The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 2.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Buffalo?
14.6% of adults in Buffalo have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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