Living in Buffalo, Minnesota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Buffalo · Census data 2020–2024
Buffalo has 16,499 residents with a median age of 38.6. The median household income is $88,820 (about the same as the Minnesota median), the median home value is $314,400, the median rent is $1,182/month.
Buffalo at a glance
- Population
- 16,499
- Median age
- 38.6State: 38.8
- Median household income
- $88,820State: $89,062
- Median home value
- $314,400State: $329,300
- Median rent
- $1,182/moState: $1,280
- Homeowners
- 74.3%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 32%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Buffalo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 5% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 8.9%.
Cons: Median household income about the same as the Minnesota median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 6%.
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 $314,400, 6% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,182 per month, which is 28.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,047 a month in housing costs.
Buffalo median household income
The median household income in Buffalo is $88,820 and the income per person is $39,807. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line (Minnesota: 9.3%).
Housing in Buffalo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 6,506
- Owner-occupied
- 74.3%
- Renter-occupied
- 25.7%
- Vacant
- 2.7%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1993
- Average household size
- 2.54
Buffalo demographics
- Population
- 16,499
- Median age
- 38.6
- Under 18
- 24%
- 65 and older
- 17.3%
- Households
- 6,329
- Foreign-born
- 4.3%
- Veterans
- 7.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Buffalo ›
Education in Buffalo
32% of adults 25 and older in Buffalo have a bachelor's degree or higher (Minnesota: 39.4%), and 13.5% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Buffalo
- Unemployment rate
- 6%State: 4.1%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 23 min
- Work from home
- 12.6%
- Drive alone
- 76.9%
- Public transit
- 0.2%
- Walk to work
- 0.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 92.8%
Buffalo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 16,499 | $88,820 | $314,400 | $1,182 |
| Maple Lake | 2,042 | $93,750 | $246,800 | $591 |
| Montrose | 3,888 | $102,625 | $275,700 | $1,474 |
| Rockford | 4,597 | $94,162 | $329,200 | $1,046 |
| St. Michael | 20,010 | $131,274 | $390,100 | $1,483 |
| Monticello | 14,858 | $79,534 | $323,700 | $1,405 |
| Waverly | 2,285 | $112,222 | $323,100 | $941 |
| Hanover | 3,626 | $156,536 | $447,900 | $1,853 |
| Greenfield | 2,894 | $153,750 | $567,700 | — |
More for people moving to Buffalo
Buffalo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Buffalo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Buffalo, MN?
The median household income in Buffalo is $88,820, about the same as the Minnesota median of $89,062 (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 $314,400, compared with $329,300 in Minnesota.
How much is rent in Buffalo?
The median gross rent in Buffalo is $1,182 per month, about 28.5% of household income.
Is Buffalo, MN a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 5% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 8.9%. Minuses: median household income about the same as the Minnesota median; an average commute of 27 minutes; unemployment of 6%.
What is the median age in Buffalo?
The median age in Buffalo is 38.6 years (Minnesota: 38.8).
How long is the commute in Buffalo?
The average commute to work in Buffalo is 27 minutes; 12.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Buffalo?
The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Buffalo?
32% 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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