Cost of Living in Buffalo, New York (2026)
COL Index
90
100 = US avg
1BR Rent
$1,250
per month
Median HHI
$53K
per year
State Tax
6.9%
income tax
Full cost breakdown
| Category | Buffalo |
|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | |
| Studio rent/mo | $1,000 |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,250 |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,650 |
| Median home price | $220K |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | |
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 101 |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14 |
| Mid-range dinner (2 people) | $55 |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | |
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $72 |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 |
| Car insurance/mo | $175 |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | |
| Utilities bundle (elec + gas + water)/mo | $185 |
| Internet/mo | $65 |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | |
| Median household income/yr | $53K |
| State income tax rate | 6.9% |
| Sales tax (combined) | 8.5% |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | |
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 90 |
| Walk score / 100 | 62 |
Is Buffalo affordable on your salary?
How rent burden (1BR) changes across income levels. Under 30% is comfortable; above 40% is tight.
$40K
~$2,498/mo take-home
50% rent burden · Difficult
$50K
~$2,873/mo take-home
44% rent burden · Tight
$60K
~$3,448/mo take-home
36% rent burden · Tight
$75K
~$4,309/mo take-home
29% rent burden · Manageable
$80K
~$4,597/mo take-home
27% rent burden · Comfortable
$100K
~$5,746/mo take-home
22% rent burden · Very comfortable
$120K
~$6,465/mo take-home
19% rent burden · Very comfortable
$150K
~$8,081/mo take-home
15% rent burden · Very comfortable
Too expensive? Find cheaper alternatives.
See cities with a lower cost of living than Buffalo.
Compare Buffalo with other cities
Buffalo vs New YorkCompare →Buffalo vs Los AngelesCompare →Buffalo vs ChicagoCompare →Buffalo vs HoustonCompare →
Data: Zillow Observed Rent Index, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, US Census ACS · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only