Cost of living in the Buffalo Metro Area
2 counties across NY. Population: 1,161,385.
Last updated May 22, 2026
Rent in the Buffalo Metro Area
Average rent across the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area, weighted by county population.
Source: HUD FMR + ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Income and earnings in the Buffalo Metro Area
Earnings data averaged across all 2 counties.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Home values in the Buffalo Metro Area
Average home values and annual property tax across the metro.
Source: ACS (population-weighted metro average)
Energy costs in the Buffalo Metro Area
Residential electricity and natural gas estimates.
Source: EIA (state averages applied per county, weighted)
All 2 counties in the Buffalo Metro Area
The Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area includes 2 counties. Sorted by population.
- Buffalo NY$3,234/moPop950,044 Rent$1,001/mo Income$71,175/yrBuffalo NY 950,044 $1,001/mo $71,175/yr $3,234/mo
- Niagara County NY$3,189/moPop211,341 Rent$1,001/mo Income$67,809/yrNiagara County NY 211,341 $1,001/mo $67,809/yr $3,189/mo
Compare counties in the Buffalo Metro Area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up across the metro.
Open comparison toolFrequently asked questions about the Buffalo Metro Area
Common questions about cost of living in the metro area.
What is the cost of living in the Buffalo Metro Area?
The estimated average cost of living in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area is approximately $3,226 per month for a single person. This is a population-weighted average across the 2 counties that make up the metro area.
What is the average rent in the Buffalo Metro Area?
The average one-bedroom rent across the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area is $1,001 per month, based on HUD Fair Market Rent data weighted by county population.
What is the cheapest county in the Buffalo Metro Area?
Niagara County, NY is the most affordable county in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area at approximately $3,189 per month for a single person.
What is the most expensive county in the Buffalo Metro Area?
Erie County, NY is the most expensive county in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area at approximately $3,234 per month for a single person.
How many counties are in the Buffalo Metro Area?
The Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area covers 2 counties. The five largest by population are Buffalo, Niagara County.
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About this data
All figures come from official U.S. government sources. Metro-area averages are population-weighted across constituent counties using Census ACS population estimates.