Rents are 2% below what Buffalo's 10-year trend predicts — a better deal than its own history suggests.
Rent by unit size
These are HUD Fair Market Rents, the payment standard for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). They often differ from the $1,423 market median above, and that is expected: FMR is the 40th percentile of standard-quality units and counts gross rent, so it includes essential utilities such as electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash. The market median is asking rent, which usually excludes utilities. HUD sets FMR once a year; market rent here updates monthly.
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents. Read the methodology →
12-month history
Last updated: August 17, 2026
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Who lives here
Buffalo, NY is majority renter-occupied, has a median income below the national average, 31.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2024 5-Year Estimates
How Buffalo, NY has changed in 5 years
Since 2021, the typical rent in Buffalo, NY has climbed from $1,033 to $1,423, a 37.8% change over five years. On the earnings side, the typical household in Buffalo, NY now reports about $50,041, up from $42,186 in 2021. That spread, with rent up faster than earnings, points to a tougher affordability environment than five years ago. For context, the 2021 to 2026 window covers an unusually volatile run for US rents nationally, and Buffalo, NY reflects that arc in its own way.
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Can you afford rent in Buffalo on your salary?
At $1,423/mo, how Buffalo rent compares to typical pay (30% rule).
Buffalo rent by bedroom count
Median rent for each apartment size in Buffalo. Click any size for full breakdown.
Tips for renters in Buffalo
Last updated: August 17, 2026
The median rent in Buffalo is $1,423/mo as of August 2026. A studio apartment averages $993/mo while a 2-bedroom runs $1,209/mo. One-bedroom apartments average $1,029/mo and 3-bedroom units go for $1,480/mo.
At 34% of local median household income ($50,041/yr), Buffalo ranks as moderate compared to the national benchmark of 30%. Rents have increased 4.3% over the past year.
Frequently asked questions
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Is rent going up or down in Buffalo?
Which Buffalo neighborhoods have the lowest rent?
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What percentage of Buffalo residents rent vs. own?
How does Buffalo rent compare to the national average?
At $1,423/mo, rent takes ~34% of Buffalo's median household income ($50,041/yr). The standard benchmark is 30%.
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Estimated from ZIP-level data
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