Living in Buffalo, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Buffalo · Census data 2020–2024
Buffalo has 276,854 residents with a median age of 34.3. The median household income is $50,041 (42% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $164,200, the median rent is $1,046/month.
Buffalo at a glance
- Population
- 276,854
- Median age
- 34.3State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $50,041State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $164,200State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $1,046/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 43%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 31.2%
- Average commute
- 20 min
Is Buffalo a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 61% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 42% lower than the New York median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 26%.
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 $164,200, 51% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,046 per month, which is 31.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,207 a month in housing costs.
Buffalo median household income
The median household income in Buffalo is $50,041 and the income per person is $31,843. 26% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Buffalo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 136,850
- Owner-occupied
- 43%
- Renter-occupied
- 57%
- Vacant
- 12.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.25
Buffalo demographics
- Population
- 276,854
- Median age
- 34.3
- Under 18
- 22.3%
- 65 and older
- 14.2%
- Households
- 119,630
- Foreign-born
- 10.9%
- Veterans
- 5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Buffalo ›
Education in Buffalo
31.2% of adults 25 and older in Buffalo have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 14.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Buffalo
- Unemployment rate
- 7.3%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 20 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 11.3%
- Drive alone
- 62.8%
- Public transit
- 8.1%
- Walk to work
- 4.5%
- Homes with broadband
- 88.5%
Buffalo vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | 276,854 | $50,041 | $164,200 | $1,046 |
| Sloan | 3,751 | $72,214 | $146,900 | $1,135 |
| Kenmore | 15,044 | $77,639 | $208,600 | $1,081 |
| Lackawanna | 19,753 | $52,110 | $140,700 | $872 |
| Cheektowaga | 76,056 | $68,613 | $185,500 | $1,055 |
| Eggertsville | 14,894 | $82,767 | $248,100 | $886 |
| Tonawanda Town | 56,806 | $77,679 | $215,200 | $1,102 |
| West Seneca | 45,303 | $79,709 | $232,800 | $1,106 |
| Blasdell | 2,549 | $69,856 | $170,200 | $803 |
More for people moving to Buffalo
Buffalo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Buffalo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Buffalo, NY?
The median household income in Buffalo is $50,041, 42% lower than the New York median of $85,974 (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 $164,200, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Buffalo?
The median gross rent in Buffalo is $1,046 per month, about 31.4% of household income.
Is Buffalo, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 61% lower than the state median; an average commute of 20 minutes. Minuses: median household income 42% lower than the New York median; unemployment of 7.3%; a poverty rate of 26%.
What is the median age in Buffalo?
The median age in Buffalo is 34.3 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Buffalo?
The average commute to work in Buffalo is 20 minutes; 11.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Buffalo?
The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 7.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Buffalo?
31.2% 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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