Real Estate Investing in Buffalo, New York (14226)
Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.
Should you buy in 14226 (Buffalo, NY)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.
Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.
A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.
- Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
What’s happening in Buffalo, NY (14226)?
Click any question — our AI will research it live from the web and show you sources.
Market Analysis: 14226 Buffalo
The 14226 ZIP covers a section of Buffalo that demands careful diligence. Prices near $324K look accessible, but the work to make a deal cash flow is real.
Distressed does not mean uninvestable. It means the margin for error is thinner. ZIP 14226 rewards the prepared, punishes the overconfident, and leaves the math unchanged either way.
The gap between 14226 and stronger Buffalo ZIPs is not closing quickly. Investors should weight long-horizon assumptions accordingly.
Resident income in 14226 sits below the county median. That reality colors rent collection, vacancy, and reinvestment math in ways that outside investors often underestimate.
New investors are better served looking at Buffalo's stable or hybrid ZIPs before stepping into 14226. The learning curve here is expensive when the lesson is wrong.
Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Buffalo:
Property Strategy for 14226
Which property type performs best in this market?
📊 Compare All Property Types →
| Type | Median Value | Est. Rent | Cap Rate | 5yr CAGR | $/Bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2BR | $224,020 | $1,500 | 4.8% | +8.9% | $112,010 |
| 3BR | $290,172 | $1,830 | 4.5% | +8.0% | $96,724 |
| 4BR | $391,311 | $2,090 | 3.8% | +8.4% | $97,828 |
| 5BR | $560,475 | — | — | +9.0% | $112,095 |
Market Trends
Home Value History (with trend line)
Rent History (with trend line)
📊 How Does 14226 Compare?
| Metric | 14226 | Buffalo | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | New York |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home Value | $324,058 | $237,084 | N/A | $505,608 |
| 5-Year CAGR | 6.6% | 5.8% | N/A | 6.6% |
| Avg Rent | $1,763 | $1,433 | N/A | - |
| Cap Rate | 4.2% | 4.7% | - | - |
Similar ZIPs Within 25 Miles
Compare other nearby markets to see if a neighbor offers a better fit.
Landlord Ground Truth
Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 14226 (Buffalo, NY). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.
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📊 Market Snapshot
| Home Value | $324,058 |
| Monthly Rent | $1,763 |
| Price-to-Rent | 15.3:1 |
| 1% Rule | ✗ Fails |
💰 Return Metrics
| Gross Yield | 6.5% |
| Cap Rate | 4.2% |
| 5-Year IRR | 10.9% |
📈 Home Appreciation
| 1-Year | +7.4% ▲ |
| 3-Year CAGR | +5.8% ▲ |
| 5-Year CAGR | +6.6% ▲ |
| 10-Year CAGR | +7.6% ▲ |
🏠 Rent Trends
| 1-Year | -11.3% ▼ |
| 3-Year CAGR | N/A |
| 5-Year CAGR | N/A |
The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (4.2%). 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.
Demographics in 14226
Population: 29,482
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 14226
Schools in This ZIP Code
Nearby Schools (5 more)
Schools in adjacent ZIP codes that may serve this area
BEN FRANKLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
BEN FRANKLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL
DR A PANTOJA COMM SCH EXCLLNCE -#18
HERBERT HOOVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HERBERT HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL
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
Investor Insight: With 1,551 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tight is the rental market in Buffalo, NY?
Buffalo, NY sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader NY rental market.
How strong is the working-renter base in Buffalo, NY?
Tenant quality in Buffalo, NY ranks as solid. Landlords generally report measured occupancy at market rents of $1,763/mo.
What is the smart move for investors in Buffalo, NY?
A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy Buffalo, NY best. The market produces stable results for that approach at the $324K price point.
Is Buffalo, NY suited for a house hack?
House hacking works a challenging in Buffalo, NY. Rents of $1,763/mo against $324K acquisition make the strategy solid for owner-occupants.
How much does a house cost in Buffalo, NY?
The median home value in Buffalo, NY is roughly $324K. That puts it reasonable relative to the NY statewide average.
You know 14226 now. You don’t know where it ranks.
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How 14226 ranks in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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