1-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Buffalo, NY
Median asking rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Buffalo, New York as of July 2026. That's +28% lower than the citywide median of $1,430 and +26% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395.
Income needed for a 1-bedroom in Buffalo
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income guideline (the threshold above which households are considered rent-burdened), here's what you need to earn to comfortably afford a 1-bedroom at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Buffalo
Compare Buffalo's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a 1-bedroom in New York
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmira | $711 |
| 2 | Gloversville | $790 |
| 3 | Auburn | $840 |
| 4 | Potsdam | $870 |
| 5 | Utica | $895 |
| 6 | Endicott | $900 |
| 7 | Lockport | $900 |
| 8 | Niagara Falls | $903 |
| 9 | North Tonawanda | $910 |
| 10 | Rome | $940 |
| 11 | Watertown | $940 |
| 12 | Binghamton | $947 |
| 13 | Palmyra | $950 |
| 14 | Johnson City | $960 |
| 15 | Oneonta | $990 |
Most expensive cities for a 1-bedroom in New York
| # | City | 1-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rye | $3,770 |
| 2 | Harrison | $3,440 |
| 3 | Garden City | $3,360 |
| 4 | Scarsdale | $3,240 |
| 5 | Nanuet | $3,190 |
| 6 | Dobbs Ferry | $3,040 |
| 7 | White Plains | $2,922 |
| 8 | Larchmont | $2,870 |
| 9 | Mamaroneck | $2,840 |
| 10 | Port Chester | $2,820 |
| 11 | Plainview | $2,750 |
| 12 | Ossining | $2,750 |
| 13 | Farmingville | $2,750 |
| 14 | New York | $2,732 |
| 15 | Hicksville | $2,700 |
Nearby cities — 1-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 3 of these cities have cheaper 1-bedroom rents than Buffalo.
| City | Distance | 1-Bedroom rent | vs Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda, NY | 6.5 mi | $1,030 | +$1 (0%) |
| Depew, NY | 9 mi | $1,040 | +$11 (+1%) |
| Williamsville, NY | 9 mi | $1,300 | +$271 (+26%) |
| Getzville, NY | 9.3 mi | $1,230 | +$201 (+20%) |
| North Tonawanda, NY | 11.3 mi | $910 | $-119 (-12%) |
| Grand Island, NY | 11.4 mi | $1,240 | +$211 (+21%) |
| East Amherst, NY | 12.7 mi | $1,500 | +$471 (+46%) |
| Hamburg, NY | 14 mi | $1,100 | +$71 (+7%) |
| Niagara Falls, NY | 17.8 mi | $903 | $-126 (-12%) |
| Lockport, NY | 19 mi | $900 | $-129 (-13%) |
| Brockport, NY | 65.3 mi | $1,090 | +$61 (+6%) |
| West Henrietta, NY | 79.4 mi | $1,630 | +$601 (+58%) |
1-Bedroom rent in Buffalo — common questions
How much is a 1-bedroom apartment in Buffalo?
As of July 2026, the median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Buffalo, New York is $1,029 per month. This is +28% below the citywide median of $1,430.
What income do you need to afford a 1-bedroom in Buffalo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $41,160 ($3,430/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.79/hour at a full-time job.
Is Buffalo expensive for a 1-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Buffalo's 1-bedroom median of $1,029 is +26% below the national 1-bedroom median of $1,395. It ranks in the 23th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Buffalo rank for 1-bedroom rent in New York?
Among the 124 cities in New York with 1-bedroom data, Buffalo ranks #19 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 1-bedroom options near Buffalo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 1-bedroom rents include North Tonawanda ($910), Niagara Falls ($903), Lockport ($900).