Living in Buffalo, South Dakota
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Buffalo · Census data 2020–2024
Buffalo has 278 residents with a median age of 57.2. The median household income is $85,104 (13% higher than the South Dakota median), the median home value is $114,100, the median rent is $725/month.
Buffalo is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Buffalo at a glance
- Population
- 278
- Median age
- 57.2State: 38
- Median household income
- $85,104State: $75,081
- Median home value
- $114,100State: $257,400
- Median rent
- $725/moState: $946
- Homeowners
- 82%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 15.8%
- Average commute
- 10 min
Is Buffalo a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 13% higher than the South Dakota median; home values 56% lower than the state median; an average commute of 10 minutes; unemployment of 2.2%; a poverty rate of 6.8%.
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 $114,100, 66% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $725 per month, which is 16.7% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,038 a month in housing costs.
Buffalo median household income
The median household income in Buffalo is $85,104 and the income per person is $58,004. 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line (South Dakota: 11.9%).
Housing in Buffalo: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 234
- Owner-occupied
- 82%
- Renter-occupied
- 18%
- Vacant
- 31.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1953
- Average household size
- 1.73
31.2% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Buffalo has many vacation and second homes.
Buffalo demographics
- Population
- 278
- Median age
- 57.2
- Under 18
- 10.8%
- 65 and older
- 20.5%
- Households
- 161
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 6.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Buffalo ›
Education in Buffalo
15.8% of adults 25 and older in Buffalo have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Dakota: 31.9%), and 2.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Buffalo
- Unemployment rate
- 2.2%State: 2.9%
- Average commute
- 10 minState: 18 min
- Work from home
- 5.5%
- Drive alone
- 86.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 6.6%
- Homes with broadband
- 95.7%
Buffalo vs nearby towns
More for people moving to Buffalo
Buffalo ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Buffalo: FAQ
What is the median household income in Buffalo, SD?
The median household income in Buffalo is $85,104, 13% higher than the South Dakota median of $75,081 (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 $114,100, compared with $257,400 in South Dakota.
How much is rent in Buffalo?
The median gross rent in Buffalo is $725 per month, about 16.7% of household income.
Is Buffalo, SD a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 13% higher than the South Dakota median; home values 56% lower than the state median; an average commute of 10 minutes; unemployment of 2.2%; a poverty rate of 6.8%.
What is the median age in Buffalo?
The median age in Buffalo is 57.2 years (South Dakota: 38).
How long is the commute in Buffalo?
The average commute to work in Buffalo is 10 minutes; 5.5% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Buffalo?
The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 2.2% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Buffalo?
15.8% 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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