Salary Needed to Live in Buffalo as a Family

A family of four (2 adults, 2 children) needs approximately $55,684/year to live comfortably in Buffalo, NY — including 15% savings.

Comfortable Salary
$55,684
with 15% savings
Bare Minimum
$44,083
no savings buffer
Monthly Expenses
$2,645
10% below national avg

Detailed Monthly Budget for a Family in Buffalo

ExpenseBuffaloNat'l AvgDiff
🏠 3BR Apartment/House Rent$230$209+10%
🛒 Groceries$51$44+16%
⚡ Utilities$26$28-7%
🚗 Transportation$35$44-20%
🛡️ Car Insurance$179$229-22%
🏥 Health Insurance$49$58-16%
Childcare/After-school$1,068$1,200-11%
Internet + Phones$160$180-11%
Children Activities$223$250-11%
Dining Out$312$350-11%
School Supplies & Clothing$178$200-11%
Healthcare Co-pays$134$150-11%
Total Monthly$2,645$2,942-10%

How We Calculated the Salary

Monthly expenses:$2,645
Target savings (15%):$590/mo
Monthly after-tax needed:$3,235
Effective tax rate:28%

Gross annual salary needed:$55,684

Other Household Types in Buffalo

Single Person
$18,987/yr
$981/mo expenses
Couple (No Kids)
$26,280/yr
$1,314/mo expenses
Retiree
$19,576/yr
$1,093/mo expenses

Related Pages

Living Alone in BuffaloCity OverviewAfford on $75K?Afford on $100K?Cost of Living

FAQ

What salary does a family with kids need in Buffalo?
A family with kids needs approximately $55,684/year ($4,640/month gross) to live comfortably in Buffalo with a 15% savings rate.
How much is rent for a family with kids in Buffalo?
A 3br apartment/house in Buffalo costs approximately $230/month, which is the largest single expense at 9% of the total budget.
Is Buffalo affordable for a family with kids?
Yes, Buffalo is 10% more affordable than the national average for a family with kids.
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