Often called “Queen City,” Buffalo, NY, is an iconic East Coast city known for many things including its world-famous chicken wings, the architectural marvel of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin D. Martin House, and the Buffalo Bills NFL team. As more people move to Buffalo, it’s important to keep in mind that the median home sale price is $190,250, and the average rent price is $1,241.
Don’t worry if those prices don’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. At Redfin, we’ve rounded up a list of the 9 best affordable Buffalo suburbs to consider living in – and they’re all under 20 miles from the city. That way you can live close to Buffalo and all its awesome activities without the price tag of living there.
#1: Lackawanna
Median home price: $135,000
Average sale price per square foot: $92
Distance from Buffalo: 6 miles
Lackawanna, NY homes for sale
Lackawanna, NY apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $135,000, Lackawanna lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Buffalo suburb. Just about 6 miles away from Buffalo, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to explore the impressive Our Lady of Victory Basilica, known for its stunning architecture and historical significance, or check out the nearby Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens.
#2: East Aurora
Median home price: $150,000
Average sale price per square foot: $158
Distance from Buffalo: 20 miles
East Aurora, NY homes for sale
East Aurora, NY apartments for rent
Buffalo’s second most affordable suburb is East Aurora. Only 20 miles from the city center you can explore the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens in no time. Living in East Aurora, you’ll want to visit the Roycroft Campus, a National Historic Landmark, known for its role in the Arts and Crafts Movement, with galleries, shops, and guided tours, check out the Millard Fillmore Museum, and explore the nearby Majors Park. When living in this suburb of 5,900 people, you can also spend the day checking out the charming downtown.
#3: Niagara Falls
Median home price: $159,000
Average sale price per square foot: $123
Average rent for an apartment: $996
Distance from Buffalo: 20 miles
Niagara Falls, NY homes for sale
Niagara Falls, NY apartments for rent
Just 20 miles away, you’ll find the suburb of Niagara Falls. From parks and outdoor recreation to shopping, there’s lots of things that make Niagara Falls a great place to live. If you find yourself moving here, make sure to wander through Niagara Falls State Park, the oldest state park in the U.S., with walking paths, gardens, and stunning views of the falls, step back in time at Old Fort Niagara, a historic site with original 18th-century buildings and military demonstrations, or check out downtown Niagara Falls.
#4: Tonawanda
Median home price: $162,500
Average sale price per square foot: $147
Average rent for an apartment: $1,226
Distance from Buffalo: 12 miles
Tonawanda, NY homes for sale
Tonawanda, NY apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Niagara Falls is Tonawanda, the next suburb on our list. There are several top attractions you may want to check out in Buffalo suburb. Make sure to explore Niawanda Park, situated along the Niagara River, offering walking paths, picnic areas, and scenic views.
#5: North Tonawanda
Median home price: $227,000
Average sale price per square foot: $179
Average rent for an apartment: $986
Distance from Buffalo: 15 miles
North Tonawanda, NY homes for sale
North Tonawanda, NY apartments for rent
About 15 miles into the city, consider adding North Tonawanda to your list of Buffalo suburbs to check out. With 30,500 people living in this affordable town, North Tonawanda is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Buffalo without paying the premium for a home in the city. In North Tonawanda, you can see a show at the Riviera Theatre, explore the Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum, and take in the views of the Niagara River from Gratwick Waterfront Park.
#6: Eden
Median home price: $229,100
Average sale price per square foot: $152
Distance from Buffalo: 19 miles
Eden, NY homes for sale
Eden, NY apartments for rent
Another noteworthy Buffalo suburb is Eden. With roughly 7,600 people calling Eden home, it’s a great area to consider living in. There’s lots of activities to do in this suburb. For example, you can check out the Eden Corn Fest that is held every summer, among many other local favorites.
#7: Cheektowaga
Median home price: $230,000
Average sale price per square foot: $184
Average rent for an apartment: $1,089
Distance from Buffalo: 9 miles
Cheektowaga, NY homes for sale
Cheektowaga, NY apartments for rent
Seventh on our list of affordable Buffalo suburbs is Cheektowaga. With a population of close to 76,900, Cheektowaga is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as Buffalo. Don’t miss out on enjoying nature at Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, which features walking trails, educational programs, and a variety of wildlife, and checking out community events, concerts, and festivals at Cheektowaga Town Park.
#8: West Seneca
Median home price: $231,500
Average sale price per square foot: $169
Distance from Buffalo: 10 miles
West Seneca, NY homes for sale
West Seneca, NY apartments for rent
If you’ve lived in Buffalo for a while, it’s likely you know of West Seneca. About 45,500 people reside in West Seneca, so you’ll have a fraction of Buffalo’s population while remaining close to the city and its attractions. Living in West Seneca, make sure to check out the Cazenovia Creek Wildlife Management Area or Charles E. Burchfield Nature & Art Center, explore downtown West Seneca, and have a meal at one of the local restaurants.
#9: Depew
Median home price: $243,500
Average sale price per square foot: $182
Average rent for an apartment: $1,265
Distance from Buffalo: 13 miles
Depew, NY homes for sale
Depew, NY apartments for rent
Finishing off our list of affordable Buffalo suburbs is none other than Depew. About 13 miles away from the city-center, you may just want to consider moving to Depew. About 15,200 people live in this suburb, but there’s always a local business to support in Depew. Attractions in Depew include visiting the Broadway Driving Range & Miniature Golf.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s median home sale price or average sale price per square foot is less than Buffalo and under a 20-mile drive from downtown Buffalo. Median home sale price data and average rent price from the Redfin Data Center during December 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
This post first appeared on Redfin.com. To see the original, click here.