Cost of Living in Buffalo, NY - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,199 (excluding rent), and $2,682 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,966 (excluding rent), and $4,936 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.96 $29.96

$16.56 $16.56

$49.93 $49.93

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.2 $85.2

$70.2 $70.2

$175 $175

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.12 $12.12

$10.6 $10.6

$13.13 $13.13

Cappuccino

$5.45 $5.45

$3.01 $3.01

$8.03 $8.03

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.99 $1.99

$3.48 $3.48

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.87 $1.87

$2.79 $2.79

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.4 $5.4

$2.95 $2.95

$7.85 $7.85

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.21 $7.21

$5.15 $5.15

$10.3 $10.3

Milk (1 liter)

$0.9 $0.9

$0.52 $0.52

$1.04 $1.04

White Bread (500g)

$3.85 $3.85

$1.6 $1.6

$8.74 $8.74

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.97 $4.97

$2.69 $2.69

$6.79 $6.79

Eggs

$4 $4

$1.81 $1.81

$6.84 $6.84

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.52 $13.52

$10.13 $10.13

$26.81 $26.81

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.21 $8.21

$4.32 $4.32

$16.19 $16.19

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.8 $11.8

$6.25 $6.25

$18.59 $18.59

Apples (1kg)

$3.92 $3.92

$1.97 $1.97

$6.52 $6.52

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 $1.61

$1.23 $1.23

$2.03 $2.03

Oranges (1kg)

$5.22 $5.22

$1.91 $1.91

$7.51 $7.51

Tomato (1kg)

$5.09 $5.09

$2.9 $2.9

$6.73 $6.73

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$1.84 $1.84

$6.74 $6.74

Onion (1kg)

$3.49 $3.49

$1.96 $1.96

$7.57 $7.57

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.94 $1.94

$5.33 $5.33

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.01 $1.01

$5.4 $5.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.07 $14.07

$13.09 $13.09

$17.12 $17.12

Wine (Bottle)

$17.21 $17.21

$15.18 $15.18

$25.3 $25.3

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.7 $1.7

$1.29 $1.29

$3.05 $3.05

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.41 $7.41

$5.3 $5.3

$9.09 $9.09

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.79 $2.79

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$90.8 $90.8

$74.2 $74.2

$126 $126

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.16 $5.16

$3.68 $3.68

$5.16 $5.16

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.92 $2.92

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$44.62 $44.62

$39.66 $39.66

$44.62 $44.62

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.9 $0.9

$0.8 $0.8

$0.94 $0.94

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$33.2K $33.2K

$23.8K $23.8K

$36.6K $36.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.1K $24.1K

$22.1K $22.1K

$25.5K $25.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$256 $256

$157 $157

$407 $407

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$46.45 $46.45

$19.91 $19.91

$59.7 $59.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$50.7 $50.7

$81.2 $81.2

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.7 $33.7

$22.01 $22.01

$50.1 $50.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$57.8 $57.8

$45.64 $45.64

$60.9 $60.9

Cinema Ticket

$13.95 $13.95

$11.96 $11.96

$19.93 $19.93

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$915 $915

$509 $509

$1,627 $1,627

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$28.6K $28.6K

$13K $13K

$32.5K $32.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.63 $45.63

$24.97 $24.97

$55.6 $55.6

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.63 $46.63

$30.32 $30.32

$59.1 $59.1

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 $103

$44.66 $44.66

$149 $149

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$39.5 $39.5

$346 $346

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,582 $1,582

$1,212 $1,212

$1,818 $1,818

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,206 $1,206

$1,011 $1,011

$1,516 $1,516

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,054 $2,054

$1,485 $1,485

$2,574 $2,574

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,701 $1,701

$1,479 $1,479

$1,972 $1,972

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,174 $2,174

$1,788 $1,788

$3,618 $3,618

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,916 $1,916

$1,778 $1,778

$2,117 $2,117

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,382 $3,382

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.19

6.8

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: November 23, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Buffalo, NY - Frequently Asked Questions

Buffalo tends to offer solid value for travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want city access without the price tag of larger metros. You’ll find a mix of housing options that balance space and proximity to everyday needs, plus affordable groceries and a developing food scene. Seasonality and a practical pace keep living costs predictable, and neighborhoods near the waterfront or historic cores often provide convenience without premium rents. Utilities and services typically settle into a workable budget when you compare options across areas. Cost of Living in Buffalo, NY, United States provides a clear reference point as you plan. Tip: Choose a neighborhood with a walkable center to cut transit costs.

A typical setup starts with a neighborhood map: seek walkable cores with transit access and reasonable rents. In daily life, you’ll enjoy a mix of groceries, casual eateries, and farmers markets that help you manage meals on a budget. Transport leans on bus routes and bike-friendly streets; downtown and near universities offer practical options for shorter trips. Co-working spaces and cafés with reliable Wi‑Fi provide work-friendly hubs, while errands cluster around convenient services. When you plan longer stays, the Buffalo, NY, United States living cost reference helps calibrate expectations. Tip: Test several areas during different times of day to gauge noise and amenity access.

Quality of life hinges on community, pace, and seasonality. Build a simple budgeting framework that separates housing, groceries, transport, and discretionary costs, then adjust as you settle and weather shifts. In winter, plan for heating and indoor activities; in milder months, outdoor errands and lakefront recreation become cheaper entertainment. Neighborhood fit often comes down to proximity to work or study, safety, and the types of amenities you value – historic streets, waterfront access, or quiet residential blocks. With flexible plans, you can savor seasonal perks without overextending your budget. Tip: Leave room for spontaneous local discoveries to enrich your stay.