Firstly why Buffalo, New-York?

I’ll start with some quick stats and an overview:

• City: Buffalo
• State: New-York
• Population: 273,752 people
• Buffalo’s quick summary would be Known for its iconic architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House, and its delicious Buffalo wings.

Some people I know rave about this place, others say it’s on the upswing or going through changes. Check out these migration details:

• How many people move-in: 25,000 annually
• While this many move-out: 20,000 annually
• Net Migration: 5000 more people in (net) annual change
• Non-Citizen Move-in: 6,000
• Number of Homeless people: 3,000

You might wonder why people choose to move here, I’d say generally because it offers affordability and proximity to Niagara Falls attracting families

Perk #1: Buffalo Demographic Mix & Lifestyle

• The percentage of Residents Age 30–50 is about 36%
• Percentage of Home Ownership is hovering around 51%
• Largest Local Ethnic Group is Black
• The 2nd Largest Ethnic Group is mostly Hispanic
• The median income is (and growing)  $52,000
• Income Required to Live Comfortably in Buffalo is $54,000
• Average Extra Spending Money after paying bills yearly is approx. $2000 in positive cash flow

This and any cities local population can be a real melting pot—or sometimes it’s more homogeneous, depending on the area. Ask yourself: would you enjoy a bustling community with diverse backgrounds, or do you prefer a quieter, tight-knit vibe?

Perk #2: Housing & Buffalo’s Cost of Living

• Cost of Living Index: 130 (100 is the US average)
• Annual Property Tax Per House: $3,486
• Property Tax %: 2.38%
• Rent for an average 2BD Apartment: $1,200
• Rent for an average house: $1,700
• Popular and Expensive Neighborhood: Elmwood Village
• Top 5 Growing Areas: Buffalo, Kenmore, Cheektowaga, Lackawanna, and probably could include West-Seneca
• Avg. Age of Homes in Buffalo: 79 years
• The Percentage of Realtors per 100 people here: 2.5%

If the cost-of-living index is low, you might find a place without selling your kidney. If it’s high, well, you’ll need to budget carefully. Some income earners thrive in pricey markets, others prefer less financially stressful areas.

Perk #3: Job Market & Buffalo’s Economy

• 3 Industries gaining traction in Buffalo are  Healthcare, Education, and Manufacturing
• Buffalo Job Scene: stable job market primarily in healthcare and manufacturing
• The General Tech Scene: growing tech community with emphasis on healthcare, education, and manufacturing
• Buffalo Resident’s pay $1,500 in City Tax alone!
• Local Sales Tax in Buffalo: 8.75%
• No. of Independent Businesses: 250 (excluding chains and corporates)
• Number of Local Branch Banks: 30

Maybe you’re a go-getter in finance, tech, or healthcare. Or you’d rather open a mom-and-pop shop. Either way, it’s worth checking if the local industries align with your skill set—or if you’re game to try something new.

Perk #4: Transportation & Commuting in Buffalo

• Monthly Transportation Costs: $130 on average per person
• Freeway Access: I-90 runs through Buffalo connecting to nearby areas
• Commute Time: 25 minutes (public & private)
• Main Evening Traffic Area: slowdowns on the I-190
• Transportation Score: 66 out of 100 described as Good Transit
• No. of Vehicles Registered in Buffalo: 150,000
• Cars registered per Person: 0.5
• No. of Car Washes: 10 in and around the city
• DMV Website for Buffalo: dmv.ny.gov
• The Bike-Friendly Score: 70 of 100
• Local Airport: Buffalo Niagara International

Is a 15-minute commute your dream, or is 45 minutes stuck on the freeway a dealbreaker? If you can handle traffic or love public transit, this might be perfect. If not, brace yourself with a killer podcast lineup.

Perk #5: Buffalo’s Weather & Natural Factors

• The Most Common Natural Disaster is Winter storms
• General Weather in Buffalo is best described as has cold winters with heavy snowfall and warm summers with moderate rainfall
• Winter Weather in Buffalo i’d describe as cold with heavy snow
• Spring Weather in Buffalo can be described as cool and rainy
• Summer’s in Buffalo are mostly warm and humid
• Fall ( the nicest time) in Buffalo is usually cool and breezy
• How many days in a row over 90°F: 0 days in summer
• Days in a row in Buffalo below Freezing: 26
• Average Annual Rainfall: 38 inches
• Summer Air Quality is usually moderate air quality affected by regional industry
• Buffalo Winter Air average air quality often affected by industrial emissions

Do you live for sunny skies? Or maybe you can’t stand humidity. Some relish snowy winters; others run south at the first snowflake. And if hurricanes, tornadoes, or earthquakes are part of the package, put all that into your consideration matrix.

Perk #6: Buffalo Education & Schools

• The GreatSchools.org City Rating:
• Number of Colleges and Universities in Buffalo 13
• While the number of trade schools inside Buffalos’s city limits are 11
• Library that I have visited and enjoyed is the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library

If you’ve got kids—or you’re looking to further your own education—solid school ratings and local colleges can be a huge perk. If not, hey, a good library have more gems that you didn’t know existed, check it out.

Perk #7: Healthcare & Buffalo Stats

• Typical EMS Response Time: 8 minutes
• Registered Full-Time Buffalo only Doctors is about 450
• Local Hospitals here is  14
• Full-time Buffalo only Police Officers is about 1,400
• Crime Rate Index: 65/100

Medical facilities could be important to you and who knows it could be related to the crime stats. Again some stats that are worth considering.

Perk #8: Utilities, Gyms & Water Quality

• Buffalo’s Monthly utility bill average is $130
• Buffalo’s Monthly Gym Membership: $42
• Buffalo’s Water Quality Score: 65

Some of us freak out if water tastes off, others don’t mind. Gym buffs will appreciate a cheap membership; others prefer running outside for free. Check if these monthly costs fit inside your realistic lifestyle.

Perk #9: Events, Festivals & Vibe in Buffalo

• Approx number of Festivals the city puts on is 10 annually
• The General Local City Vibe: city known for its architecture and proximity to Niagara Falls
• You might enjoy concerts at the KeyBank Center
• Nightlife Scene (yes this is completely subjective), Buffalo  features a vibrant nightlife with diverse bars restaurants and live music venues reflecting the local culture

If you love a lively social calendar—fairs, concerts, maybe the odd chili cook-off—this is your jam. If crowds make you itch, you might only show up for the funnel cakes.

Perk #10: The Food, Sports & Culture of Buffalo

• The Objective Restaurant Scene Features famous chicken wings and a variety of local restaurants
• The Number of Independent Restaurants are 100 scattered around Buffalo
• The Popular Sports Team is Buffalo Bills
• Top Level Political Climate in Buffalo can be described as politically mixed city with socio-economic challenges and resilience
• Buffalo’s Longer standing religious establishment is Buffalo New York Seventh-day Adventist Church

Whether you’re a foodie wanting fancy cuisine or a sports nut who can’t miss the local team’s home game, see if your interests line up with what the city offers.

Perk #11: Buffalo Parks & Green Spaces

• Did you know Buffalo has 60 Parks?
• Delaware Park is Buffalo’s Green Space Center
• The local favorite Farmers Market is Buffalo City Market normally open Thursday 6am-7pm
• Outdoor Activities that both weekend warriors are pro’s can enjoy are Hiking, cycling, and outdoor events

Love fresh air? A city investing in parks and markets can be a sanity-saver. If you prefer the indoors, maybe it’s less of a draw—but I still say fresh produce is never a bad thing.

Perk #12: Buffalo Neighborhoods Pace & Proximity

• The Pace of Life in Buffalo can be described as moderate pace with a blend of history and revitalization efforts
• 3 Family-Friendly Activities anyone can enjoy in Buffalo hiking trails exploring parks community picnics fairs
• The Cities people commute to from Buffalo are Liverpool 7 miles away Clay 16 miles away Oneida 25 miles away

Neighborhood pace can range from laid-back suburbs to frantic downtown vibes. If you need a quick getaway, big neighboring cities can scratch that itch for a weekend change of scene.

8 Drawbacks about Buffalo or are they?

No place is perfect. I rate these as important based on your location and type of work you do. They might not be negatives or positives for everyone.

1. Traffic/Commute Issues
   Maybe you read: slowdowns on the I-190. If you hate gridlock, look at alternative routes or brace yourself with podcasts.
2. Natural Disaster or Extreme Weather
   Buffalo’s Winter storms risk could be minimal or major. Dig more on that is your eyebrow just went up.
3. Pricey Neighborhoods
   If Elmwood Village is out of your price point, you might consider these places nearby Buffalo are Liverpool 7 miles away Clay 16 miles away Oneida 25 miles away.
4. Crime Rate Concerns
   With a 65 of 100, some neighborhoods might feel safer than others. Everyone has a different tolerance for this.
5. Harsh Climate Contrasts
   Buffalo has 26 days in a row below freezing and 0 days above 90 degrees. This might be your heaven or your nightmare. Some people can’t stand snow, while others pray for it.
6. Limited Extra Funds
   After general costs of living here in Buffalo people have an average (positive or negative) $2000 in positive cash flow left over in income to spend or pay off. Economics will make or break you here.
7. Homelessness or Social Challenges
   3,000 homeless people living in Buffalo. It can be tough for the community—no easy solutions.
8. Cultural/Political Mismatch
   The general politically mixed city with socio-economic challenges and resilience could change but probably not quickly. We all go thru cycles in our lifestyle and outlook. Think about this and your future outlook before a move to Buffalo.

Retiree & Senior Life in Buffalo

• Retiree Tax Benefits say seniors can might access local tax reductions aimed at easing financial challenges
• The most established Senior Citizen Community is Brookdale Buffalo
• Buffalo Senior Center features a variety of programs social activities and wellness resources for seniors

If you’re in (or nearing) retirement, see if the city provides property tax breaks or comfy 55+ communities. Some places cater heavily to seniors, others less so.

Moving to Buffalo, New-York?

If Buffalo, New-York ir your next home or you are packing up, Let Allied Van Lines Help

As someone who’s hauled half his life across state lines more times than I can recall, let me say that Allied Van Lines simplifies the process. From big bulky couches to fragile antiques, they’ve got you covered.

A quick quote or phone call might be all you need to turn your daydream into reality. If you see me around Buffalo, New-York, say hi—I’m the guy who once moved with nothing but a backpack and a guitar. Good luck on your new adventure!