Top rates up to 10.9% on multimillion-dollar incomes
Social Security in retirement
Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate
2.26%
metro-area
#193 of 200
Median property tax paid
$4,310
metro-area
#162 of 200
Health & childcare
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Life expectancy at birth
76.7 years
metro-area
#93 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)
$7,800
state
#182 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)
4.4%
metro-area
#9 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k
67
metro-area
#145 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)
$17,000
state
#170 of 200
Vehicles & commute
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Annual registration
$70
state
#38 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)
None
state
#1 of 200
Emissions testing
Required
Emissions detail
Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices
5
Avg commute to work
22 min
metro-area
#31 of 200
Commute by driving alone
74.9%
metro-area
#94 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min
24.6%
metro-area
#40 of 200
Utilities & fuel
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Electricity
29.4¢/kWh
state
#166 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill
$265
state
#166 of 200
Gasoline
$3.45/gal
state
#142 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)
$98
state
#186 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)
$87
state
#57 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)
$76
state
#20 of 200
Insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Home insurance (annual)
$1,600
state
#80 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)
$2,100
state
#126 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Main natural hazards
Notable hazards: hurricanes, flooding — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)
95.1 — Relatively High
metro-area
#146 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)
$800
state
#120 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)
$100
state
#1 of 200
Climate & air quality
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)
44
metro-area
#76 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)
700
metro-area
#25 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)
88%
state
#143 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)
6,000
metro-area
#168 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F
2
metro-area
#6 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F
0
metro-area
#5 of 200
Avg summer high (state)
83°F
metro-area
#21 of 200
Avg winter low
16°F
metro-area
#168 of 200
Annual precipitation
40.7"
metro-area
#85 of 200
Annual snowfall
95.4"
metro-area
#199 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)
48%
metro-area
#186 of 200
Plant hardiness zone
6a
Frost window
04-30 → 10-15
Safety
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)
350
state
#51 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)
1,450
state
#24 of 200
Local amenities & recreation
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Grocery stores
39
metro-area
#123 of 200
Parks
52
Hiking areas
6
Golf courses
9
Shooting ranges
8
Lakes
5
Permits
Metric
Value
Scope
US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)
5
state
#165 of 200
Permit detail
Very difficult; NYC DOB long timelines
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
Top employers in Buffalo
Major public and private employers in the Buffalo, NY area.
