3-Bedroom Apartment Rent in Buffalo, NY
Median asking rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in Buffalo, New York as of October 2026. That's +4% higher than the citywide median of $1,421 and +31% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130.
Income needed for a 3-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 3-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 3-bedroom in New York
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmira | $1,120 |
| 2 | Gloversville | $1,250 |
| 3 | Lockport | $1,290 |
| 4 | Niagara Falls | $1,295 |
| 5 | North Tonawanda | $1,310 |
| 6 | Clarence | $1,340 |
| 7 | Potsdam | $1,340 |
| 8 | Utica | $1,345 |
| 9 | Cortland | $1,355 |
| 10 | Auburn | $1,380 |
| 11 | Lancaster | $1,390 |
| 12 | Rome | $1,420 |
| 13 | Endicott | $1,470 |
| 14 | Buffalo (this page) | $1,480 |
| 15 | Oneonta | $1,480 |
Most expensive cities for a 3-bedroom in New York
| # | City | 3-Bedroom rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rye | $5,200 |
| 2 | Garden City | $5,030 |
| 3 | Harrison | $4,750 |
| 4 | Scarsdale | $4,470 |
| 5 | Nanuet | $4,400 |
| 6 | Dobbs Ferry | $4,200 |
| 7 | Plainview | $4,110 |
| 8 | Farmingville | $4,110 |
| 9 | Hicksville | $4,040 |
| 10 | White Plains | $4,030 |
| 11 | Mamaroneck | $3,930 |
| 12 | Hauppauge | $3,930 |
| 13 | Port Washington | $3,900 |
| 14 | Port Chester | $3,890 |
| 15 | Eastchester | $3,840 |
Nearby cities — 3-bedroom rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 5 of these cities have cheaper 3-bedroom rents than Buffalo.
| City | Distance | 3-Bedroom rent | vs Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda, NY | 6.5 mi | $1,480 | — |
| Depew, NY | 9 mi | $1,490 | +$10 (+1%) |
| Williamsville, NY | 9 mi | $1,870 | +$390 (+26%) |
| North Tonawanda, NY | 11.3 mi | $1,310 | $-170 (-11%) |
| Grand Island, NY | 11.4 mi | $1,780 | +$300 (+20%) |
| East Amherst, NY | 12.7 mi | $2,150 | +$670 (+45%) |
| Hamburg, NY | 14 mi | $1,580 | +$100 (+7%) |
| Lancaster, NY | 14.1 mi | $1,390 | $-90 (-6%) |
| Clarence, NY | 15.8 mi | $1,340 | $-140 (-9%) |
| Niagara Falls, NY | 17.8 mi | $1,295 | $-185 (-12%) |
| Lockport, NY | 19 mi | $1,290 | $-190 (-13%) |
| Brockport, NY | 65.3 mi | $1,630 | +$150 (+10%) |
3-Bedroom rent in Buffalo — common questions
How much is a 3-bedroom apartment in Buffalo?
As of October 2026, the median 3-bedroom apartment rent in Buffalo, New York is $1,480 per month. This is +4% higher than the citywide median of $1,421.
What income do you need to afford a 3-bedroom in Buffalo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $59,200 ($4,933/month gross), which works out to roughly $28.46/hour at a full-time job.
Is Buffalo expensive for a 3-bedroom compared to the rest of the US?
Buffalo's 3-bedroom median of $1,480 is +31% below the national 3-bedroom median of $2,130. It ranks in the 15th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Buffalo rank for 3-bedroom rent in New York?
Among the 119 cities in New York with 3-bedroom data, Buffalo ranks #14 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper 3-bedroom options near Buffalo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper 3-bedroom rents include North Tonawanda ($1,310), Lancaster ($1,390), Clarence ($1,340).