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Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Cost of living in Niagara County, NY

Part of the Buffalo Metro Area

Estimated monthly cost
$3,189/mo
for a single person, all categories combined

Population 211,341 · Last updated May 21, 2026

Cost breakdown

Single person, by category, per month.

Rent $1,001 31%
Federal tax $538 17%
Healthcare $480 15%
Groceries $404 13%
Transport $320 10%
Energy $208 7%
State tax $183 6%
Water $55 2%

Rent in Niagara County

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 Niagara County

Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.

Household income
$67,809
per year
Individual earnings
$42,926
per year
Per capita
$37,898
per year

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.

Home values in Niagara County

Average values reported by homeowners.

Average home value
$177,400
Annual property tax
$4,052

Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year

Energy costs in Niagara County

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 Niagara County

Insurance premiums and coverage rates.

Individual premium
$480
per month
Family premium
$1,350
per month
Uninsured rate
2.5%

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 Niagara County

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 Niagara County

Commute patterns and estimated costs.

Average commute
22.3 min
Drive alone
78.1%
Public transit
0.8%
Work from home
9.2%

Source: ACS

Monthly cost estimates for Niagara County

What it costs to live in Niagara County each month.

Single person
$3,189
per month
  • Rent $1,001
  • Energy $208
  • Water $55
  • Groceries $404
  • Transport $320
  • Healthcare $480
  • Federal tax $538
  • State tax $183
Couple
$4,521
per month
  • Rent $1,176
  • Energy $250
  • Water $65
  • Groceries $669
  • Transport $420
  • Healthcare $864
  • Federal tax $780
  • State tax $297
Family
$6,988
per month
  • Rent $1,438
  • Energy $312
  • Water $75
  • Groceries $1,016
  • Transport $520
  • Healthcare $1,350
  • Childcare $1,200
  • Federal tax $780
  • State tax $297

Frequently asked questions about Niagara County

Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.

What is the average rent in Niagara County?

In Niagara County, NY, 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 Niagara County?

In Niagara County, NY, the average household income is $67,809 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $42,926 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

What is the cost of living in Niagara County?

The estimated cost of living in Niagara County, NY is approximately $3,189 per month for a single person, $4,521 for a couple, $6,988 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.

What is the sales tax rate in Niagara County?

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

Is Niagara County an affordable place to live?

Based on the data, a single person in Niagara County, NY would need approximately $3,189 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $67,809 per year ($5,651 per month). Niagara County has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.

How much does healthcare cost in Niagara County?

The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Niagara County, NY is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 2.5% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.

What are house prices in Niagara County?

The average home value in Niagara County, NY is $177,400, with average annual property taxes of $4,052, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

How does Niagara County compare to other areas?

You can compare Niagara County, NY with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Niagara County 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 Niagara County 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