WhereCanIAfford › FIRE by town › Buffalo, NY

FIRE number for Buffalo, NY

$948,400 retires you early in Buffalo, NY — that's $37,936/yr to live × 25. At your $600,000 saved + $30,000/yr you reach it coast-fire.

The math (shown)

$288,316 home × 5%/yr owner-equivalent housing cost = $14,416/yr
housing ÷ 38% (housing is ~38% of a typical U.S. budget, BLS CEX) = $37,936/yr to live here
$37,936/yr spend ÷ 4% safe-withdrawal rule = $948,400 portfolio needed (the 25× rule)
$600,000 now + $30,000/yr at 5% real return reaches $948,400 in 6 years.
Coast-FIRE: $600,000 alone compounding 5% for 30 yrs = $2,593,165 by 65 — clears the $948,400 needed.

against Zillow ZHVI 2026-05 (Zillow ZHVI (typical home value, smoothed, all-homes 33–67pct tier)). FIRE math = the 4% rule (×25). Cost of living derived from home value — a planning estimate, not a household budget.

Run your own numbers for Buffalo, NY

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FAQ

How much do I need to FIRE in Buffalo, NY?
About $948,400 ($37,936/yr × 25).
What's the cost of living based on?
Buffalo, NY's typical home value ($288,316, Zillow ZHVI 2026-05) → owner-equivalent + non-housing budget.
Is the 4% rule safe?
It's the Trinity-study baseline; many FIRE planners use 3.5%–4%. Lower withdrawal = bigger number.

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