What Salary Do You Need to Live in Buffalo, NY?

To live comfortably in Buffalo, a household needs to earn roughly $50,000/year. That's about $4,167/month before taxes.

The Number: $50,000/year

At $50,000 per year, a household in Buffalo can afford median-priced rental housing at roughly 28% of gross income.

This is based on Buffalo's median monthly rent of $1,142 and the 28% housing guideline. Source: Census ACS 2024.

Buffalo at a Glance

Median rent$1,142/mo
Median home price$187,000
Median household income$52,211
State income taxUp to 10.9%
Sales tax8%

Sources: Census ACS 2024, Tax Foundation.

For Single Residents

A single person can live comfortably in Buffalo on roughly $35,000/year. That's about $2,917/month before taxes.

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Note: Salary estimates are based on the 28% housing guideline applied to median rents from Census ACS 2024. Individual circumstances vary. Full disclaimer.

Salary Questions About Buffalo

The median monthly rent is $1,142. Using the 30% guideline, you need about $46,000/year to afford this comfortably.

The median home price is $187,000. With a 20% down payment, you would need roughly $37,400 saved and a household income to support the mortgage payments.

The median household income is $52,211/year. Our recommended salary of $50,000/year is near the median, reflecting a comfortable (not extravagant) standard of living.