Cost of Living in Buffalo
Summary of cost of living in Buffalo, NY, United States:
- The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 4,271.8$, excluding rent (using our estimator).
- The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 1,197.1$, excluding rent.
- Buffalo is 23.0% less expensive than Seattle (excluding rent, see our cost of living index).
- Rent in Buffalo is, on average, 48.1% lower than in Seattle.
Restaurants |  Edit |
Range |
|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00 $ | |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 80.00 $ | |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 12.00 $ | |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 5.25 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 7.00 $ | |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 5.63 $ | |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.79 $ | |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 2.15 $ | |
Markets | Edit |
|
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 0.92 $ | |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 3.63 $ | |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 2.57 $ | |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 4.28 $ | |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 6.43 $ | |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 4.29 $ | |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 5.36 $ | |
| Apples (1 lb) | 1.84 $ | |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 0.69 $ | |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 2.08 $ | |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 2.14 $ | |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.14 $ | |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.63 $ | |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 2.52 $ | |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.52 $ | |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 17.99 $ | |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 1.83 $ | |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 6.81 $ | |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 14.00 $ | |
Transportation | Edit |
|
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 2.00 $ | |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 75.00 $ | |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 5.30 $ | |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 3.60 $ | |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 45.00 $ | |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 0.90 $ | |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 36,344.69 $ | |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 24,127.21 $ | |
Utilities (Monthly) | Edit |
|
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 251.62 $ | |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 49.50 $ | |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 66.00 $ | |
Sports And Leisure | Edit |
|
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 36.67 $ | |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 54.17 $ | |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 12.50 $ | |
Childcare | Edit |
|
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 1,300.00 $ | |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 28,560.00 $ | |
Clothing And Shoes | Edit |
|
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 42.13 $ | |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 46.13 $ | |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 93.75 $ | |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 114.75 $ | |
Rent Per Month | Edit |
|
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 1,550.00 $ | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,077.78 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,075.00 $ | |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,635.71 $ | |
Buy Apartment Price | Edit |
|
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 205.57 $ | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 177.57 $ | |
Salaries And Financing | Edit |
|
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 3,413.33 $ | |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.49 |
Prices in Buffalo, New York
This city had 503 entries in the past 12 months by 50 different contributors.
Last update: 22 October 2025
Last update: 22 October 2025
Sources and References
Moving to Buffalo, NY? Explore:
Distribution of Expenses Using Our Statistical Model:
Nearby Cities:| Cost of Living in Rochester, New York | 74.52 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bath, New York | 109.22 miles |
| Cost of Living in Syracuse, New York | 150.09 miles |
| Cost of Living in Towanda, Pennsylvania | 182.99 miles |
| Cost of Living in Cleveland, Ohio | 189.47 miles |
| Cost of Living in Utica, New York | 198.82 miles |
| Cost of Living in State College, Pennsylvania | 199.07 miles |
| Cost of Living in Binghamton, New York | 204.74 miles |
| Cost of Living in Akron, Ohio | 212.52 miles |
| Cost of Living in Watertown, New York | 213.88 miles |
This Page in Other Languages:
 DeutschCost of Living in Buffalo
|
 PortuguêsCost of Living em Buffalo
|
 ItalianoCost of Living a Buffalo
|
 FrançaisCost of Living à Buffalo
|
 EspañolCost of Living en Búfalo
|
Leave a comment:2 Comments so far
Anonymous
on Jan 29, 2023:
I wish there was a breakdown of how the cost of living for a single person is $1,111/month before rent. My experience is $2800.00. I don’t eat take out and spend next to nothing on alcohol entertainment and clothing.
Sarah
on Oct 11, 2020:
can we talk about how buffalo has the 7th most expensive apples in the world!? how is that possible! i do agree with the average prices. marbs are up to $12 now. Sure you can find cheaper housing but like the one commenter said ya take your chances. but you Don't move to the buffalo inner city from across the world. so I'd say everything is accurate. Them apples tho!