Studio Apartment Rent in Buffalo, NY
Median asking rent for a studio apartment in Buffalo, New York as of August 2026. That's +30% lower than the citywide median of $1,423 and +23% below the national studio median of $1,290.
Income needed for a studio 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 studio at the current median rent.
Rent by apartment size in Buffalo
Compare Buffalo's median rent across every apartment size.
Cheapest cities for a studio in New York
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Potsdam | $780 |
| 2 | Gloversville | $790 |
| 3 | Elmira | $817 |
| 4 | Auburn | $830 |
| 5 | Endicott | $830 |
| 6 | Watertown | $830 |
| 7 | Oneonta | $850 |
| 8 | Palmyra | $850 |
| 9 | Lockport | $860 |
| 10 | Niagara Falls | $865 |
| 11 | Binghamton | $873 |
| 12 | Johnson City | $880 |
| 13 | North Tonawanda | $880 |
| 14 | Utica | $885 |
| 15 | Amsterdam | $910 |
Most expensive cities for a studio in New York
| # | City | Studio rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rye | $3,610 |
| 2 | Harrison | $3,300 |
| 3 | Scarsdale | $3,110 |
| 4 | Nanuet | $3,050 |
| 5 | Dobbs Ferry | $2,920 |
| 6 | Nyack | $2,860 |
| 7 | White Plains | $2,798 |
| 8 | Woodbury | $2,770 |
| 9 | Garden City | $2,770 |
| 10 | Larchmont | $2,750 |
| 11 | Mamaroneck | $2,730 |
| 12 | Port Chester | $2,700 |
| 13 | Irvington | $2,670 |
| 14 | Eastchester | $2,670 |
| 15 | Ossining | $2,640 |
Nearby cities — studio rent
Considering nearby alternatives? 4 of these cities have cheaper studio rents than Buffalo.
| City | Distance | Studio rent | vs Buffalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonawanda, NY | 6.5 mi | $1,000 | +$7 (+1%) |
| Depew, NY | 9 mi | $1,000 | +$7 (+1%) |
| Williamsville, NY | 9 mi | $1,260 | +$267 (+27%) |
| North Tonawanda, NY | 11.3 mi | $880 | $-113 (-11%) |
| Grand Island, NY | 11.4 mi | $1,200 | +$207 (+21%) |
| East Amherst, NY | 12.7 mi | $1,450 | +$457 (+46%) |
| Hamburg, NY | 14 mi | $1,060 | +$67 (+7%) |
| Niagara Falls, NY | 17.8 mi | $865 | $-128 (-13%) |
| Lockport, NY | 19 mi | $860 | $-133 (-13%) |
| Brockport, NY | 65.3 mi | $970 | $-23 (-2%) |
| West Henrietta, NY | 79.4 mi | $1,450 | +$457 (+46%) |
| Henrietta, NY | 84.7 mi | $1,050 | +$57 (+6%) |
Studio rent in Buffalo — common questions
How much is a studio apartment in Buffalo?
As of August 2026, the median studio apartment rent in Buffalo, New York is $993 per month. This is +30% below the citywide median of $1,423.
What income do you need to afford a studio in Buffalo?
Using the standard 30% rent-to-income rule, you would need an annual income of about $39,720 ($3,310/month gross), which works out to roughly $19.10/hour at a full-time job.
Is Buffalo expensive for a studio compared to the rest of the US?
Buffalo's studio median of $993 is +23% below the national studio median of $1,290. It ranks in the 26th percentile of US cities tracked.
How does Buffalo rank for studio rent in New York?
Among the 122 cities in New York with studio data, Buffalo ranks #23 from cheapest to most expensive.
Are there cheaper studio options near Buffalo?
Yes — nearby cities with cheaper studio rents include North Tonawanda ($880), Niagara Falls ($865), Lockport ($860).