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Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Cost of living in Buffalo, New York

Erie County, NY

Part of the Buffalo Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,234/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 950,044 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,001 31%
Federal tax $573 18%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $404 12%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $208 6%
State tax $193 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Buffalo

Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Studio
$968
per month
1 bedroom
$1,001
per month
2 bedroom
$1,176
per month
3 bedroom
$1,438
per month
4 bedroom
$1,625
per month

Source: HUD FMR FY2025

Income and earnings in Buffalo

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$71,175
per year
Individual earnings
$45,117
per year
Per capita
$41,560
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Buffalo

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$217,400
Annual property tax
$4,525

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Buffalo

Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.

Electricity
$140
per month · 23.4¢/kWh
Natural gas
$68
per month
Annual total
$2,496
per year

Source: EIA

Healthcare in Buffalo

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
2.8%

Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.

Taxes in Buffalo

State and local tax rates for New York.

State income tax
10.9%
Top marginal rate
State sales tax
4.0%
Combined sales tax
8.5%
incl. average local

Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.

Transportation in Buffalo

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
21.3 min
Drive alone
74.1%
Public transit
3.0%
Work from home
11.4%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Buffalo

What it costs to live in Buffalo each month.

Single person
$3,234
per month
  • Rent $1,001
  • Energy $208
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $404
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $573
  • State tax $193
Couple
$4,591
per month
  • Rent $1,176
  • Energy $250
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $669
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $835
  • State tax $312
Family
$7,058
per month
  • Rent $1,438
  • Energy $312
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,016
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $835
  • State tax $312

Frequently asked questions about Buffalo

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Buffalo?

In Buffalo, New York, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,001 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,176 per month, a three-bedroom averages $1,438 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.

What is the average salary in Buffalo?

In Buffalo, New York, the average household income is $71,175 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $45,117 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Buffalo?

The estimated cost of living in Buffalo, New York is approximately $3,234 per month for a single person, $4,591 for a couple, $7,058 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Buffalo?

The combined sales tax rate in Buffalo, New York is 8.52%, which includes the New York state rate of 4.00% plus an average local rate of 4.52%.

Is Buffalo an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Buffalo, New York would need approximately $3,234 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $71,175 per year ($5,931 per month). Buffalo has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Buffalo?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Buffalo, New York is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 2.8% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Buffalo?

The average home value in Buffalo, New York is $217,400, with average annual property taxes of $4,525, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Buffalo compare to other areas?

You can compare Buffalo, New York with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Buffalo is in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area.

Other counties in New York

Browse the full list of counties in New York, ranked by cost of living.

See all counties in New York

Compare Buffalo with another area

Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.

About this data

All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.

  • HUD FMR FY2025
  • ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
  • EIA
  • ACS + national avg
  • ACS
  • USDA + BEA RPP
Methodology All data sources