How long is the commute from Buffalo, NY?
Workers who live in Buffalo, NY take an average of 19.9 minutes to get to work (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
62.8% of workers drive alone to work.
8.1% take public transportation.
4.5% of workers walk to work.
11.3% work from home.
22.6% of households have no vehicle.
Figures last updated on .
- Average commute
- 19.9 minutes (±0.5)
- Public transportation
- 8.1%
- Work from home
- 11.3%
- Households without a car
- 22.6%
How people in Buffalo get to work
| Means of transportation | Buffalo | Erie County | New York | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drove alone | 62.8% (±1.3 points) | 72.4% | 48.8% | 68.8% |
| Carpooled | 10.2% (±0.9 points) | 7.8% | 6.3% | 8.5% |
| Public transportation | 8.1% (±0.8 points) | 2.8% | 21.6% | 3.2% |
| Walked | 4.5% (±0.6 points) | 2.3% | 5.6% | 2.4% |
| Other means (bicycle, taxi, motorcycle) | 3.1% (±0.4 points) | 1.7% | 2.8% | 2.0% |
| Worked from home | 11.3% (±0.8 points) | 12.9% | 14.9% | 15.1% |
In Buffalo, the average commute is lower than in Erie County (21.3 minutes).
It is also lower than in New York (32.6 minutes).
It is lower than the national figure (26.4 minutes).
In Buffalo, the share commuting by public transportation is higher than in Erie County (2.8%).
It is also lower than in New York (21.6%).
It is higher than the national figure (3.2%).
In Erie County, Buffalo ranks 28 of 29 places with a published estimate, from highest to lowest average commute.
Statewide, it ranks 877 of 1,003.
Rankings use the estimates alone; where margins of error overlap, neighboring ranks may not truly differ.
Cars per household in Buffalo
| Vehicles available | Buffalo | Erie County | New York | United States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 22.6% (±1.2 points) | 11.5% | 29.2% | 8.4% |
| 1 vehicle | 45.8% (±1.3 points) | 39.6% | 33.6% | 33.1% |
| 2 vehicles | 24.8% (±1.1 points) | 35.5% | 25.4% | 36.6% |
| 3 or more vehicles | 6.8% (±0.6 points) | 13.4% | 11.8% | 21.9% |
In Buffalo, the share of households without a vehicle is higher than in Erie County (11.5%).
It is also lower than in New York (29.2%).
It is higher than the national figure (8.4%).
Working from home and internet access in Buffalo
| Buffalo | Erie County | New York | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workers working from home | 11.3% (±0.8 points) | 12.9% (±0.4 points) | 14.9% (±0.1 points) | 15.1% |
| Households with a computer | 93.7% (±0.6 points) | 94.1% (±0.3 points) | 94.7% (±0.1 points) | 95.5% |
| Households with broadband internet | 88.5% (±0.8 points) | 90.2% (±0.4 points) | 90.8% (±0.1 points) | 91.0% |
In Buffalo, the share of households with a broadband subscription is lower than in Erie County (90.2%).
It is also lower than in New York (90.8%).
It is lower than the national figure (91.0%).
Average commute in places near Buffalo
| Place | Distance | Average commute | Compared with this place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | — | 19.9 minutes (±0.5) | — |
| Village of Sloan | 3.4 mi | 18.5 minutes (±2.5) | Not measurably different |
| Village of Kenmore | 5.0 mi | 18.5 minutes (±1.8) | Not measurably different |
| Lackawanna | 5.3 mi | 20.0 minutes (±2.0) | Not measurably different |
| Cheektowaga (community) | 5.6 mi | 20.6 minutes (±1.6) | Not measurably different |
| Eggertsville | 5.8 mi | 18.4 minutes (±1.9) | Not measurably different |
| Town of Cheektowaga | 6.1 mi | 20.4 minutes (±1.4) | Not measurably different |
| Town of Tonawanda | 6.3 mi | 20.6 minutes (±1.1) | Not measurably different |
| Tonawanda Town | 6.5 mi | 21.3 minutes (±1.4) | Not measurably different |
None of the nearby places differs measurably from this one on this figure.
Distance is measured in a straight line between the Census Bureau’s internal points for each place.
Average commute across Erie County, place by place
| Rank | Place | Average commute |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Town of Orchard Park | 21.5 minutes (±1.2) |
| 23 | Town of Tonawanda | 20.6 minutes (±1.1) |
| 24 (tie) | Town of Cheektowaga | 20.4 minutes (±1.4) |
| 24 (tie) | Town of Lancaster | 20.4 minutes (±0.6) |
| 26 (tie) | Lackawanna | 20.0 minutes (±2.0) |
| 26 (tie) | Town of Amherst | 20.0 minutes (±0.7) |
| 28 | Buffalo | 19.9 minutes (±0.5) |
| 29 | Town of Grand Island | 18.9 minutes (±1.0) |
Showing 8 of 29 places in Erie County, ranked from highest to lowest.
Survey years: 2020–2024 (American Community Survey 5-year estimates).
Margins of error are at the 90% confidence level.
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Questions about Buffalo
How long is the average commute in Buffalo?
Workers who live in Buffalo, NY take an average of 19.9 minutes each way (2020–2024 American Community Survey).
Can you live in Buffalo without a car?
22.6% of households in Buffalo have no vehicle, and 8.1% of workers commute by public transportation.
How many people work from home in Buffalo?
11.3% (±0.8 points) of workers who live in Buffalo worked from home, and 88.5% of households have a broadband subscription.
Sources
- Selected Economic Characteristics (DP03), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Buffalo city, Erie County, New York
- Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Buffalo city, Erie County, New York
- Selected Social Characteristics (DP02), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — Buffalo city, Erie County, New York
To check these figures in the Census Bureau’s own API, request the variables below from the 2024 ACS 5-year data profile (acs/acs5/profile) for Buffalo city, Erie County, New York (county subdivision:11000, in state:36 county:029).
Each estimate (E or PE) has a margin of error beside it (M or PM).
The API needs a free key.
DP03_0018E, DP03_0018M, DP03_0025E, DP03_0025M, DP03_0019PE, DP03_0019PM, DP03_0020PE, DP03_0020PM, DP03_0021PE, DP03_0021PM, DP03_0022PE, DP03_0022PM, DP03_0023PE, DP03_0023PM, DP03_0024PE, DP03_0024PM, DP04_0058PE, DP04_0058PM, DP04_0059PE, DP04_0059PM, DP04_0060PE, DP04_0060PM, DP04_0061PE, DP04_0061PM, DP02_0153PE, DP02_0153PM, DP02_0154PE, DP02_0154PM
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are published by the US Census Bureau, HUD, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the FBI; Seayora reproduces them and does not adjust them, except where a sentence says it compares dollar figures after inflation. They describe the whole place, not any one building or street, and are not an appraisal, a rent determination, a tax bill, a safety rating or legal advice.
Figures last updated on .
Related
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