Buffalo, NY, known as 'The City of Good Neighbors,' offers a unique blend of historic charm and modern urban amenities. Located in western New York, Buffalo is a large city that serves as a major cultural and economic hub. Major nearby cities like Niagara Falls and Rochester enhance its status as a central point in the region. Buffalo's blend of historic landmarks, cultural festivals, and urban amenities creates a distinctive living experience.
Buffalo is home to several iconic landmarks, including the Buffalo Museum of Science, the historic Shea's Performing Arts Center, and the scenic Delaware Park. The city offers a variety of attractions, from the beautiful Albright-Knox Art Gallery to the bustling Elmwood Village, known for its shopping and dining. Buffalo's dining scene is diverse, offering everything from classic Buffalo wings to international dishes.
Annual events such as the Allentown Art Festival and the Taste of Buffalo highlight the city's vibrant cultural scene and provide unique entertainment opportunities for residents and visitors. These events celebrate Buffalo's rich cultural heritage and community spirit. Prestigious institutions like the University at Buffalo contribute to the city's academic and cultural vibrancy, fostering a thriving intellectual community.
The arts and culture scene in Buffalo is dynamic and diverse, with numerous theaters, music venues, and art galleries. The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Burchfield Penney Art Center are just a few of the cultural landmarks that showcase the city's commitment to the arts. Living in Buffalo provides ample opportunities to engage with art, music, and history, making it an exciting place to call home.
Buffalo’s community is welcoming and diverse, creating a friendly environment for newcomers. The city is home to professional sports teams like the Buffalo Bills (NFL) and the Buffalo Sabres (NHL), providing plenty of excitement for sports fans. Major industries in Buffalo include healthcare, education, and technology, with significant employers such as Kaleida Health and M&T Bank driving economic growth. The city has extensive public transit options, including buses and light rail, making commuting convenient for residents.
Amenities
An abundance of amenities, including restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and fitness facilities, are conveniently situated within walking distance of the area.
Commute
High commute scores indicates that public transit should be easily accessible in this area and the average commute time to work is less than average.
Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in this area is much lower than average. This includes everyday goods and services, as well as housing, utilities and health care.
Housing
This area has received high scores in the housing category. This could be due to a positive home affordability ratio, high appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
A high score in the health and safety category is a result of good air quality and the accessibility to health facilities such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and fire stations.
Crime
This area is reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people and could signify that it is a dangerous place to live. Crime rates include both violent and property crimes.
Employment
A low score in the employment category could indicate that this area struggles with high unemployment rates and low household income and income per capita levels.
Ratings
AreaVibes conducted surveys and polls with locals who live in the area. The results were not favorable for walkability of amenities, parks, public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.
Buffalo, New York is a highly populated city with a population of 255,805 residents. In Buffalo, there are 6,335 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. Buffalo is known to be an ethnically diverse city. The two most common races are White (47%) and Black or African American (35%). Buffalo tends to attract a younger crowd, as the median age of 33 is far below the national average. Buffalo is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 37%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Buffalo offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, relocating to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Buffalo, New York could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. The best areas in Buffalo and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from commute, education, employment, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the New York and national averages.
Buffalo, NY receives 78 out of 100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #117 in New York and #1,779 in the USA. Compared to the US average, Buffalo ranks among some of the best places to live in the country! Another exciting tidbit, is that Buffalo ranks better than 90% of all US cities! There are nine total categories that form the livability score. Buffalo ranks well for amenities (A), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) On a less positive note, Buffalo does not have favorable scores for the following: crime (F) and employment (D-). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
Buffalo has many conveniently situated amenities and captivating attractions that adds to the continuous enjoyment of your everyday life. Having the assurance of abundant conveniences and a wide array of activities ensures your easy access to nearby grocery stores, restaurants, bars, fitness facilities, coffee shops and exciting entertainment options. This not only simplifies daily routines but also fosters a vibrant and dynamic lifestyle within the community. With a wealth of resources at your fingertips, you can savor the convenience and variety that Buffalo has to offer, making it a desirable destination for those seeking both accessibility and enjoyment in their daily lives. A few of the enjoyable things to experience and sights to see are: Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D. Martin House Complex, The Buffalo Zoo, and Spirit of Buffalo - Buffalo Sailing Adventures.
A healthy real estate market serves as a key economic indicator. It could signify overall local economic strength, stability and reflects consumer confidence in the area. Based on multiple factors including: median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability, Buffalo has received high marks in the housing category. Based on these calculations, the apartment rental and real estate market appears to be very healthy.
There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in Buffalo is actually affordable. The median home price for Buffalo homes is $101,000, which is 64.7% lower than the New York average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Buffalo, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.6, which is 44.7% lower than the New York average.
| Statistic | Buffalo | New York | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 33min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 67.9% | 53.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 10.0% | 6.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 9.9% | 28.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.9% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 5.8% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.1% | 4.0% | 4.6% |
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