Real Estate Investing in Buffalo, New York (14206)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Erie County • Population: 22,427 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 14206 (Buffalo, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (75/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (52/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
2 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 11.7% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.

What’s happening in Buffalo, NY (14206)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

4.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $180,031
Avg Monthly Rent $1,183
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $46,026
% Renters 39.2%

Market Analysis: 14206 Buffalo

The 14206 ZIP in Buffalo, NY is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $180K entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 14206 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.

In the broader NY picture, 14206 is a reminder that not every low-priced ZIP is a value-add opportunity — some are simply distressed, and the difference matters.

Demographically, 14206 is a market where tenant selection matters more than unit finishes. Operators who understand that tend to do fine; those who do not tend to learn why the ZIP trades at a discount.

trends toward the ZIP is not uninvestable, but it is unforgiving. Section 8 landlords, local operators, and specialized value-add funds are the investor types that tend to succeed.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Buffalo:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 76/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.9× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,183/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
24 days
Average time to sell
Fast
8.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 14206

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
4BR
7.1% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
2BR
+11.0% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$30,747/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $155,660 $1,180 5.5% +11.0% $77,830
3BR $183,072 $1,440 5.7% +10.8% $61,024
4BR $165,186 $1,640 7.1% +9.5% $41,296
5BR $153,737 +8.5% $30,747

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$191K$160K$129K$98K$67K$36KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$1,197$1,157$1,117$1,077$1,037$997Dec 2025Apr 2026Jul 2026

📊 How Does 14206 Compare?

Metric 14206 Buffalo Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY New York
Home Value $180,031 $237,084 N/A $505,608
5-Year CAGR 7.2% 5.8% N/A 6.6%
Avg Rent $1,183 $1,433 N/A -
Cap Rate 5.1% 4.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 14206? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

A healthy rental market with 39% renter-occupied households ensures tenant availability.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 14206 (Buffalo, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
5.1%
Fair
5yr Growth
+7.2%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $180,031
Monthly Rent $1,183
Price-to-Rent 12.7:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 7.9%
Cap Rate 5.1%
5-Year IRR 12.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.2% ▲
10-Year CAGR +11.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 5.1%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (5.1%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
11.7%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.2%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 14206

Population: 22,427

💰 Median Household Income
$46,026
This area
$46,026
State
$86,376
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
39.2%
This area
39.2%
State
26.4%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.1%
This area
5.1%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
18.1%
This area
18.1%
State
4.2%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
39.6 years
This area
39.6 years
State
7.4 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
11.7%
This area
11.7%
State
19.4%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 71.7%
Black/African American 12.3%
Other/Mixed 12.3%
Hispanic/Latino 8.6%
Asian 3.7%
👶 Under 18
20.7%
This area
20.7%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
15.0%
This area
15.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
16.4%
This area
16.4%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 14206

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
12.4:1 Avg Class Size
$30,901 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

PS 69 HOUGHTON ACADEMY

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
434 Students
👨‍🏫
11.2:1 Class Size
💰
$33,375 Per Student
A+ Excellent

LOVEJOY DISCOVERY SCHOOL #43

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
👥
619 Students
👨‍🏫
12.5:1 Class Size
💰
$33,375 Per Student
A+ Excellent

THEODORE ROOSEVELT SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 02 Elementary
👥
339 Students
👨‍🏫
13.3:1 Class Size
💰
$25,954 Per Student

Nearby Schools (5 more)

Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area

A+ Excellent

BENNETT PARK MONTESSORI SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 342 CLINTON ST, BUFFALO
👥
600 Students
👨‍🏫
9.2:1 Class Size
💰
$33,375 Per Student
A+ Excellent

BILINGUAL CENTER

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 157 ELK ST, BUFFALO
👥
330 Students
👨‍🏫
8.3:1 Class Size
💰
$33,375 Per Student
A+ Excellent

BUFFALO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 414 S DIVISION ST, BUFFALO
👥
522 Students
👨‍🏫
10.3:1 Class Size
💰
$33,375 Per Student
A+ Excellent

BUILD COMMUNITY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 340 FOUGERON ST, BUFFALO
👥
326 Students
👨‍🏫
9.1:1 Class Size
💰
$33,375 Per Student
A+ Excellent

DISCOVERY SCHOOL

📚 Pre-K – 08 School
📍 911 ABBOTT RD, BUFFALO
👥
545 Students
👨‍🏫
11.8:1 Class Size
💰
$33,375 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

8 Nearby 4,052 Off-Campus Students
D
Villa Maria College
545 students · 2.3 mi
C
Erie 1 BOCES
312 students · 2.4 mi
D
Trocaire College
1,104 students · 2.4 mi
D
National Tractor Trailer School Inc-Buffalo
211 students · 2.6 mi
C
Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo
1,840 students · 3.0 mi
C
Erie Community College
7,618 students · 3.2 mi
D
Empire Beauty School-Buffalo
78 students · 3.4 mi
C+
Canisius University
2,545 students · 3.7 mi

Investor Insight: With 4,052 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

What strategy should investors use in Buffalo, NY?

In Buffalo, NY the substantial play is typically careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management. The combination of $180K prices and $1,183/mo rents suits that approach.

How much rent can I charge in Buffalo, NY?

Average rent in Buffalo, NY is approximately $1,183/mo per month. Against $180K home values that yields a reasonable rent-to-price ratio.

Are there empty rentals in Buffalo, NY?

Vacancy risk in Buffalo, NY is elevated. That supports steady cash flow for typical rental holds.

How deep is the rental pool in Buffalo, NY?

Working renters make up the core of the Buffalo, NY tenant base. The pool is reasonable for investors targeting long-term holds.

Where do home prices stand in Buffalo, NY?

Expect median prices around $180K in Buffalo, NY. The market has run at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, so entry costs have been stable.

You know 14206 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 14206 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 14206 ranks in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

Cash Flow → Appreciation → Affordable →
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