buffalo
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It is no secret that Buffalo, NY is one of the most sought-after moving destinations in the New York state. Situated on the eastern side of Lake Erie near Niagara Falls and the Canadian border, the second largest city in New York State is a mid-sized city with a promising four-season climate, welcoming community, and year-round entertainment options.

When your intention to relocate is to have a great life with the family, amidst a splendid and serene setting, Buffalo is a perfect choice.

However, while you start seriously considering moving to Buffalo, many questions may pop up in your mind and fortunately, our ultimate moving guide to Buffalo is there to save you. Your queries related to living costs, safety, fun activities, transport, and schools are reasonable and we’ve got accurate answers.

We have honest points about everything you need to know before packing the bags to Buffalo, an artsy place with a rich heritage, its off-beat vibe, architectural treasures, and music scene along with its numerous galleries, museums, and public murals.

Without wasting much time, let’s see what Buffalo is known for and how your living will be.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before moving to Buffalo

  • Buffalo is the second largest city in New York State.
  • Though every city in the state is dwarfed by NYC, Buffalo is a reasonably big city.
  • Buffalo Zoological Gardens established in 1875 is the third oldest in the United States.
  • Winters are harsh in Buffalo.
  • Snow sports rule the city in winter.
  • The property taxes are relatively high in Buffalo.
  • The population is highly diverse.
  • The cost of living is 7.9% lower than the US average.
  • Healthcare, services, logistics, tourism, and retail are prominent industries here.
  • Buffalo is home to over 20 theater companies.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Buffalo:

  • Buffalo has a humid continental climate.
  • The city is highly affordable.
  • There are plenty of jobs here.
  • The economy is diverse here.
  • There is a growing food scene.
  • The city boasts of a vibrant nightlife.
  • Public transport is limited in the city.
  • There is a strong sense of community.
  • Buffalo is home to a diverse range of educational opportunities.
  • There is a strong sports culture.

Is Buffalo a good place to live?

The second largest city in New York, Buffalo, is highly affordable and has a strong sense of community among its residents. The city is a major center of economics in the state and also ranks high in the job market. Apart from these, there are plenty of open areas including parks for outdoor recreation.

Is Buffalo affordable to live in?

One of the major pluses of Buffalo is the affordable living costs. The city is 7.9% less costly than the US average and this means everything including accommodation, transportation, groceries, and healthcare comfortably fits into the pocket.

Why are people moving to Buffalo, NY?

The second largest city in New York is a center of tourism in the state. This contributes to a large number of jobs along with healthcare, retail, logistics, and services. Though the city is dwarfed by any city in the state by NYC, Buffalo is reasonably large and is home to all major amenities like any big city. This means the city is home to many good schools and colleges. Moving here, you will never regret your decision.

What's the population of Buffalo, NY?

  • Buffalo’s total population is 261,011.
  • The population is made up of 48.1% males and 51.9% females.
  • The median age in Buffalo is 33.9.
  • The city population is made up of 44.0% White, 36.3% Black or African American, 5.2% Asian, and 2.6% from two or more races.
  • About 11.3% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity.
  • The median household size in Buffalo is 2.3 persons.
  • About 32.0% of the residents are married couples living together.
  • On average, 36.3% of the residents are single and have children.
How fast can you commute to Buffalo, NY?
  • About 67.2% drive their car alone
  • About 11.2% carpool with others
  • About 2.5% work from home
  • Approximately 11.5% take mass transit

What is the weather like in Buffalo, NY?

  • The city receives about 39 inches of rain, on average, per year.
  • Buffalo averages 85 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 155 sunny days per year.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 164 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
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Reasons to Move to Buffalo, NY

Top Reasons to Move to Buffalo, NY

While you see many people moving to Buffalo, you’d be surprised why! And here are the reasons:

  • Affordable living cost
  • Community feeling
  • Plenty of jobs
  • Good food
  • Standard education options
  • Vibrant nightlife
pros

Pros and Cons of living in Buffalo

Moving to Buffalo is not always about the best things in the world. Do not assume that the city in New York State is free from all negatives as Buffalo too has got its share of negatives. Know both the pros and cons of Buffalo to analyze both before you make a final call.

Pros of living in Buffalo
  • High living standard
  • Good education
  • Racially diverse population
  • Four seasons
  • Nice outdoor
  • Unlimited fests
  • Quality education
Cons of living in Buffalo
  • Harsh winter
  • Hot summer
  • High poverty rate
  • High crime rate

Best neighborhoods in Buffalo

When you are serious about relocating to a new place, especially with the family, the neighborhood will be a crucial factor. As your new destination is Buffalo, we thought of listing out the best neighborhoods in the city and nearby. This will benefit you while searching for a home to buy or rent after reaching here.

 

Here are the top 10 best neighborhoods in Buffalo.

Rank Neighborhood Home Rental Home Value
1 Parkside $313,482 $1,143
2 North Buffalo $236,659 $1,123
3 North Park $399,244 $1,118
4 Allentown $436,134 $985
5 University Heights $173,699 $1,200
6 West Side $223,194 $1,062
7 Central Park $441,884 $1,022
8 Downtown $227,799 $1,233
9 Elmwood Strip $530,311 $986
10 Blackrock $114,787 $858

Cost of Living in Buffalo ,NY

One of the major pluses of relocating to Buffalo is the affordable living costs. Despite being a growing city, you can comfortably live here without burning your wallet. The cost of living in Buffalo is 19.3% lower than the US average and 33.6% lower than the New York state average. Health, groceries, transport, utilities, and most other things cost less here than in most neighboring cities.

And to give you a good idea about the living cost; we’ve got the latest stats:

Living Expense Buffalo New York National Average
Overall 92.1 121.5 100
Grocery 98.5 103.8 100
Health 105.2 120.7 100
Housing 62.8 127.9 100
Median home cost $204,600 $413,600 $291,700
Utilities 107.1% 115.9% 100%
Transportation 102.4 140.7 100
Miscellaneous 130.0 121.8 100

How is the Job Market in Buffalo, NY?

Buffalo has a growing economy that contributes to job growth here. If you are planning to relocate to this city for a job, you have a higher chance of getting one. The job market has increased by 1.0% over the last year and it is assumed to further grow in the coming years. The city’s economy centers on education, health services, logistics, tourism, and utilities.

Just read the below points to know more about the job market in Buffalo.

  • Buffalo records a positive job growth.
  • Jobs have increased by 1.0% over the past year.
  • Future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 21.9%.
  • The average salary in Buffalo is $57,157.
  • The unemployment rate in Buffalo is 9.5%, higher than the national average of 6.0%.

 

Employment Information Buffalo United States
The income per Cap $27,157 $37,638
Household Income $42,186 $69,021
Unemployment Rate 9.5 6
Recent Job Growth -6.0% -6.2%
Future Job Growth 21.9% 33.5%

Fastest Growing Jobs in Buffalo, NY

For those moving to Buffalo, understanding the fastest-growing jobs provides insights into the flourishing businesses in the area. Here are the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in Buffalo and nearby areas:

Rank Job title % Growth Average salary
1 Nurse practitioner $101,520 123.9%
2 Biomedical engineer $84,860 123.0%
3 Operations analyst $91,720 118.9%
4 Environmental technician $48,220 117.9%
5 Software developer $93,500 113.4%
6 Audiologist $72,380 111.2%
7 Assistant manager $33,270 107.3%
8 Protection specialist $28,310 103.4%
9 Marketing internship $57,260 102.1%
10 Plumber $64,070 101.4%

Top Career Options in Buffalo, NY

Maybe your purpose for relocating to Buffalo is a job. And having an idea about the best-paying jobs in Buffalo is a good idea. With this, you know where to apply if a good paycheck is your goal. To help you, our experts have filtered down the 10 best-paying jobs in Buffalo. Just go through them.

Rank Job title Average salary Entry level salary
1 Anesthesiologists $404,903 $195,000
2 Rheumatologist $341,346 $163,000
3 Cardiothoracic surgeon $316,393 $166,000
4 Radiologist $280,292 $138,000
5 Vascular surgeon $277,573 $148,000
6 Operator & truck driver $260,308 $136,000
7 Hospitalist physician $244,921 $173,000
8 Neonatologist $229,205 $130,000
9 Cardiologist $227,533 $119,000
10 Internist $225,895 $125,000

Major industries in Buffalo

The second largest city in the state of New York is also a major economic center with plenty of jobs. Many companies have offices here and this makes it easier to get a job. So what are the major industries in the city?

  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Services
  • Retail
  • Tourism & hospitality
  • Logistics

Best companies to work for if you’re moving to Buffalo

When you’re moving to Buffalo for a job, it is good to know the best companies there. With this, it becomes easier to filter down good job providers. And, we’ve got the best company names here for you.

  • ERIE County Medical CTR
  • UBS
  • Kaleida Health
  • CTG
  • Buffalo Medical Group
  • M&T Bank
  • UDMD Physicians’ Group
  • Independent Health
  • PII Holdings Inc
  • Rich Products

What's the average salary & income in Buffalo, NY?

Buffalo is an expensive city but the companies do pay here well. When Buffalo is your next destination, it is good to have an idea about the salary structure here. Usually, the salary will be based on the company, job, skills, and many other factors. But there are a few factors that may excite you and are common. To help you, we’ve got them collated.

  • Buffalo’s average annual pay for average jobs is $57,157 a year
  • Buffalo’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $26 an hour
  • Buffalo’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $810 per week
  • Buffalo’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $4,667 per month
  • Buffalo’s top earners (90th percentile) make $107,000 annually

How is the Housing Market in Buffalo, NY?

Buffalo has a hot housing market where home prices are shooting up annually. In addition, the city is also experiencing a higher rate of appreciation than the US at 12%, compared to 8.27%. This proves that the house is a potential investment in Buffalo. About 48.8% of the population stays in rented homes and only 1.8% of total homes in the city are available for rent.

To give you an idea about the house market in Buffalo, we’ve collated a few housing facts of the city.

  • Buffalo’s median home cost is $204,600.
  • The median age of Buffalo real estate is 78 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 109.1%.
  • Renters make up 48.8% of the Buffalo population.
  • About 1.8% of houses and apartments in Buffalo are available to rent.

Average rental prices in Buffalo, NY

If you are relocating to Buffalo and staying on rent is your plan, you will be curious to know the average rentals here. The home rent may be based on the home size, neighborhood, amenities, and many other factors but we’ve got basic details.

We’ve collated a few facts that will give you a basic idea in advance.

  • Buffalo’s average rent for a studio apartment is $840
  • Buffalo’s average rent for 1-bedroom home or apartment is $880
  • Buffalo’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $1,030
  • Buffalo’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,260
  • Buffalo’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,420

Taxes in Buffalo, NY

Safety and crime rates are major factors that influence your decision to relocate to a new place. Buffalo, just like any growing city, has a high crime rate. The violent crime rate is 56.6 and the property crime rate is 61.4, both much higher than the US average. As per the statistics, Buffalo is safer than 5% of US cities and about 59% of the residents find the city pretty safe.

Here are a few tax-related facts existing in Buffalo. 

  • The sales tax rate for Buffalo is 8.8%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The Income Tax Rate for Buffalo is 6.5%. The US average is 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Buffalo is 1.62%
  • The average income of a Buffalo resident is $57,157 a year. The US average is $37,638 a year.

Top Things to Do in Buffalo, NY

Once a culturally rich city, Buffalo has undergone billion-dollar revitalization in recent years to become one of the most splendid cities in New York. The lakefront city has amazing things to explore and your weekends will be highly packed during your stay.

 

Here are the 10 best things you can do while living in Buffalo:

  • Visit Darwin D. Martin House
  • Cycle through the Canalside
  • Stroll at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
  • Explore Pierce-Arrow Museum
  • Pay homage at Forest Lawn Cemetery
  • Visit Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park
  • Appreciate art at Albright-Knox Art Gallery
  • Visit Delaware Park & the Buffalo Zoo
  • Learn history at Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
  • Watch a show at Shea's Performing Arts Center

Safety in Buffalo, NY

Safety and crime rates are major factors that influence your decision to relocate to a new place. Buffalo, just like any growing city, has a high crime rate. The violent crime rate is 56.6 and the property crime rate is 61.4, both much higher than the US average. As per the statistics, Buffalo is safer than 5% of US cities and about 59% of the residents find the city pretty safe.

  • The violent crime rate in the city is 56.6. The U.S. average is 22.7
  • The property crime rate in Buffalo is 61.4. The U.S. average is 35.4
  • Buffalo is safer than about 5%of US cities.
  • Residents have a 1 in 134 chance of being the victim of a violent crime.
  • Residents have a 1 in 30 chance of being the victim of a property crime.

Best Schools & Universities in Buffalo, NY

One of the major pluses of living in Buffalo is the education. The city is home to some of the best schools in the state and this helps you while moving here with the family. Moving here, you’ll realize that the city spends a lot on education and your child receives the best coaching. 

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