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Things to know before moving from Massachusetts to Buffalo, NY
Cost of living: Massachusetts vs Buffalo, NY
| Massachusetts | Buffalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rent cost | $1,588 | $1,200 |
| Average home value | $623,131 | $213,418 |
| Average income (per capita) | $96,505 | $63,443 |
| Unemployment rate | 4% | 10% |
| State income tax | 9% | 11% |
Buffalo sources: Zumper, Zillow, Numbeo
- Rent is about 24% less expensive in Buffalo than in Massachusetts.
- Home prices are about 66% lower in Buffalo than in Massachusetts.
- The average income is about 34% lower in Buffalo than in Massachusetts.
- Buffalo has a higher unemployment rate than Massachusetts by about 144%.
- Income taxes are 21% higher in Buffalo than in Massachusetts.
How life is different in Buffalo from Massachusetts
| Buffalo | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,349 | 7,001,399 |
| Political leaning | Democratic 57-42 | Democratic 61.5-36.3 |
| Summer high | 81ºF | 82ºF |
| Winter low | 17ºF | 16ºF |
| Annual rain | 39" | 49" |
| Annual snow | 85" | 47" |
| Crime index | 8.0 | 13.92 |
Buffalo sources: Wikipedia, AllTransit, Walk Score, NeighborhoodScout, AirNow
- The population of Buffalo is approximately 96% lower than the population of Massachusetts.
- In the last presidential election, Buffalo voted Democratic and Massachusetts voted Democratic.
- The average high in the summertime in Buffalo is 81ºF and in Massachusetts, it’s 82ºF.
- During the coldest part of the year, Buffalo reaches the temperature of 17ºF and Massachusetts gets down to 16ºF.
- You can expect about 39 inches of annual rainfall in Buffalo vs 49 inches of rainfall in Massachusetts.
- In Buffalo, it snows about 85 inches annually vs 47 inches of snow in Massachusetts.
- Buffalo has a lower crime rate than Massachusetts with a crime index of 13.92 vs 8.0.
Things to do in Buffalo
Whether you’re looking for parks, museums, sports, or even universities, you’ll be happy to find a plethora of these in Buffalo.
Museums in Buffalo
Parks in Buffalo
Sports Teams in Buffalo
Universities in Buffalo
Other considerations when moving to Buffalo, NY
- Weather: Best months to move to Buffalo are August, July and June are the most pleasant months in Buffalo, while January and December are the least comfortable months due to extreme winter weather.
- HOA rules: Check ahead with any neighborhood or community rules on moving to ensure a smooth move.
- Elevator reservation: One common and important example of something that should be handled ahead of time is reserving the building's elevator and finding out their rules for using the elevator.
- Parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles, find out ahead of time with your new local rules.
- State licensing: New York requires moving companies to have a license and obtain a New York Department of Transportation (NYDOT) number. A NYDOT license ensures your mover is in compliance with the state's safety, insurance, and operational regulations. Make sure the moving company you use has a license before hiring.
- State regulator: You can verify a New York moving license and its status on the state regulator's official website.
- Moving permits: New York does not require any moving permits, but it is helpful to check local parking restrictions before moving into the state.
- Change of address: We recommend submitting your change of address form with USPS at least a week prior to your move. You can set an official move date on the form and this way all of your mail will get properly forwarded to New York. Get started here.
- Mover's insurance: Every state has their own requirements when it comes to insurance. Choose Released Value Protection for no-cost, minimal coverage from movers. They're responsible for a maximum of 60 cents per pound per article. For comprehensive coverage, discuss alternatives with your moving company or consider a third-party insurance provider.
- Moving checklist: Peace of mind is priceless. Our moving checklist will help you know you’ve got everything covered.
FAQ
How long does a move from Massachusetts to Buffalo take?
The time frame for a move from Massachusetts to Buffalo, NY, varies based on your moving method and starting location. The actual loading up of your items should not take more than a day, even with DIY moves.
Obviously, the further upstate you are in Massachusetts, the longer the drive time to Buffalo will be. If you’re driving a rental truck, the move could be completed in one or two days, on average, depending on your route and how often you stop.
With professional movers or moving containers, delivery times to Buffalo from Massachusetts can range from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the company’s schedule and transit logistics. You can always ask for a general timeline before booking.
How far in advance should I book movers when moving from Massachusetts to Buffalo?
Because of the 445-mile move, it’s best to book your move from Massachusetts to Buffalo as soon as you have your moving details. Ideally, you’d book your move two to three months ahead of time.
What time of year is the cheapest to move to Buffalo, NY?
With the summer highs of 81ºF and the winter lows of 17ºF, most people move to Buffalo from Massachusetts during the spring and fall months. To avoid competing during those busy moving seasons, you could save some money by booking your move to Buffalo during summer or winter.
