Town in Leon County

Living in Buffalo, TX

B-

303rd of 745Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people
Overall score 59 of 100

Buffalo gets an overall grade of B- and ranks 303rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on health and education levels. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

  • Good for people on a budget
  • Affordable
  • Jobs and income scores low (11 of 100)
  • Education levels scores low (8 of 100)
Map of Texas showing where Buffalo isHoustonSan AntonioDallasAustinFort WorthBuffalo
Where Buffalo is in Texas.
Population
1,906+8.1% since 2020
Median rent
$73348% lower than Texas
Median home value
$73,50074% lower than Texas
Household income
$45,202Median
Average commute
22 minOne way
Violent crime
156Per 100k, 2025

What it's like to live in Buffalo

Buffalo is a town in Leon County. 1,906 people lived here in 2025, up 8.1% from 2020. It is small-town and rural in feel.

Local spots people know include Shelley Pate Park, Buffalo Public Library and Harriman Park.

The median age is 40.7, 25% of households have children, 60% of homes are owned by the people living in them and the typical household earns $45,202 a year (42% lower than the Texas median).

Pros of living in Buffalo

  • Low violent crime. 156 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2025, 60% lower than the Texas rate.
  • Lower rent. Median rent is $733, 48% lower than the Texas median.
  • Homes are affordable for local incomes. The median home costs 1.6 times the median household income, against 3.6 times across Texas.
  • Short commutes. The average trip to work takes 22 minutes, against 27 across Texas.

Cons of living in Buffalo

  • Higher unemployment. 7.6% of the labor force is out of work, against 5.3% statewide.

Who Buffalo suits

  • FamiliesA reasonable fit: 100% of rated schools earn an A or B and violent crime is 60% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 55% for families.
  • Young professionalsA reasonable fit: household income is 42% lower than the Texas median, with 30 restaurants and 1 cafe in town. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 62% for young professionals.
  • RetireesA reasonable fit: 23% of working-age adults are uninsured and violent crime is 60% lower than the Texas rate. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 52% for retirees.
  • Remote workersA reasonable fit: 84% of homes have broadband and the median rent of $733 is 48% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 52% for remote workers.
  • People on a budgetA reasonable fit: the median rent of $733 is 48% lower than the Texas median. Compared with similar Texas places, it beats 90% for people on a budget.

Buffalo report card

Ten grades, one for each part of daily life we measure. Most compare Buffalo with other US towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. Schools, safety and errands compare it with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

  • Cost of living: grade A+

    Median rent $733, homes cost 1.6x income.

    98 of 100 vs US towns

  • Jobs and income: grade D-

    Median household income $45,202, 7.6% unemployed.

    11 of 100 vs US towns

  • Schools: grade B

    3 rated campuses, 100% rated A or B.

    69 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Safety: grade C

    156 violent crimes per 100k, 1,144 property crimes per 100k.

    41 of 100 vs TX towns

  • Errands and things to do: no grade

    2 grocery stores, 30 restaurants, 3 parks mapped in town.

    No score vs TX towns

  • Getting around: grade B+

    Average commute 22 min, 3.1% work from home.

    77 of 100 vs US towns

  • Education levels: grade D-

    8.4% have a bachelor’s degree.

    8 of 100 vs US towns

  • Health: grade F

    23% of adults uninsured.

    5 of 100 vs US towns

  • Home ownership: grade D-

    60% of homes owner-occupied.

    16 of 100 vs US towns

  • Internet access: grade D

    84% of homes have broadband.

    21 of 100 vs US towns

Where Buffalo stands out compared with Texas

Better than Texas

  • Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent: 16%36 points lower than Texas (52%)
  • Home value to income: 1.6x55% lower than Texas (3.6x)
  • Median rent: $73348% lower than Texas ($1,403)

Worse than Texas

  • Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.4%25 points lower than Texas (34%)
  • Median household income: $45,20242% lower than Texas ($78,476)
  • Homes with broadband internet: 84%8 points lower than Texas (91%)

Cost of living in Buffalo

Buffalo renters pay a median of $733 a month, 48% lower than the statewide median. The usual rule is to spend no more than 30% of income on rent, which means earning around $29,000 a year for a median unit. Right now 16% of renters here pay more than 30% of their income on rent.

HUD sets fair market rents for this area at $807 for a one-bedroom, $1,014 for a two-bedroom and $1,326 for a three-bedroom (fiscal year 2027). These figures include utilities and describe a modest unit, so newer apartments often ask for more.

The median home is worth $73,500, 74% lower than the Texas median. With 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28%, the monthly payment comes to about $402 before tax, or $496 with property tax. That is close to the median rent, so buying can make sense if you plan to stay.

Texas has no state income tax, but it leans on property taxes instead, though they are lighter here than in much of the state. The median homeowner in Buffalo pays $1,129 a year, 73% lower than the Texas median of $4,232. Budget for it, along with homeowners insurance, which our numbers do not include.

Typical rent by apartment size

Fair market rent by bedroom count in BuffaloStudio$8021 bedroom$8072 bedrooms$1,0143 bedrooms$1,3264 bedrooms$1,333
HUD fair market rent for FY2027, Leon County, TX. This is what a typical, modest unit rents for, including utilities.
MeasureHereTexasUS
Median rent48% lower than Texas$733$1,403$1,413
Median home value74% lower than Texas$73,500$283,800$332,700
Home value to income55% lower than Texas1.6x3.6x4.1x
Renters paying 30%+ of income on rent36 points lower than Texas16%52%51%
Median property tax per year73% lower than Texas$1,129$4,232$3,119
Homes owned by the people living in them3 points lower than Texas60%63%65%
Median year homes were builtAbout the same as Texas198619921980

Monthly cost to buy a median home

$496
Mortgage payment
$402
Property tax
$94
Median rent, for comparison
$733

Based on a $73,500 home in Buffalo, 20% down and a 30-year loan at 7.28% (Freddie Mac average, week of 2026-10-01). Property tax is the median paid locally, or the county median where the local figure is not published. Insurance and fees are not included.

Is Buffalo safe?

In 2025, Buffalo Police Department reported 3 violent crimes and 22 property crimes. That works out to 156 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 60% lower than the Texas rate of 387, and 1,144 property crimes per 100,000, 45% lower than the state rate.

Violent crime is up about 49% since 2021, based on the yearly rates below.

Crime rates describe the whole area a police department covers. Some streets are much quieter than the average and some are busier, so look at the neighborhood grades and visit at different times of day.

Violent crimes per 100,000 people in Buffalo by yearTexas15620212022202320242025

Violent crimes per 100,000 people by year. The dashed line is the Texas rate for 2025.

Violent crime
156
per 100k, Texas 387
Property crime
1,144
per 100k, Texas 2,086
Property crimes per 100,000 people in Buffalo by yearTexas1,14420212022202320242025

Property crimes per 100,000 people by year.

Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Buffalo Police Department, 2025. Rates count reported crimes only and cover the area this police department serves.

Schools in Buffalo

Buffalo has 3 public school campuses with a 2025 state rating inside the city, and 100% of them earn an A or B. Most students here are served by Buffalo ISD.

Texas districts usually assign students by attendance zone rather than the closest campus, so check the zone for a specific address with the district before you sign a lease or buy.

Schools grade
69
of 100 vs Texas towns
Average rating
84
Texas median 81

Ratings are the 2025 Texas Education Agency A to F accountability ratings. Always check which school serves a specific address with the district.

Top-rated schools

  • BBuffalo High SchoolHigh, Buffalo ISD87 of 100
  • BBuffalo ElementaryElementary, Buffalo ISD83 of 100
  • BBuffalo Junior HighOther, Buffalo ISD83 of 100

Daily life in Buffalo

Everyday places mapped inside Buffalo, from Overture Maps. Well-known spots include Shelley Pate Park, Buffalo Public Library, Harriman Park.

The average one-way commute is 22 minutes, 19% shorter than the Texas average. 3% of workers work from home. 3.4% walk, bike or take transit to work.

The median household income is $45,202, income per person is $25,835, unemployment is 7.6% and 8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree.

Grocery stores
2
Pharmacies
0
Restaurants
30
Cafes
1
Bars
0
Parks
3
Gyms
1
Hospitals and urgent care
1
Childcare
1
Libraries
1

Jobs, income and education

MeasureHereTexasUS
Median household income42% lower than Texas$45,202$78,476$80,734
Income per person37% lower than Texas$25,835$40,752$44,673
Unemployment rate2 points higher than Texas7.6%5.3%5.2%
People below the poverty line5 points higher than Texas18%14%12%
Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher25 points lower than Texas8.4%34%36%
Adults with a high school diploma or higher2 points lower than Texas84%86%90%
Adults 18 to 64 without health insurance4 points higher than Texas23%20%11%
Homes with broadband internet8 points lower than Texas84%91%91%

Getting to work

MeasureHereTexasUS
Average commute19% lower than Texas22 min27 min26 min
Workers who work from home11 points lower than Texas3.1%14%15%
Workers who work from home3.1%
Workers who take transit0%
Workers who walk3.4%
Workers who bike0%

Who lives in Buffalo

Under 1823%
18 to 3418%
35 to 6439%
65 and over20%

Median age 40.7 years. 25% of households have children.

Race and ethnicity
White59%
Hispanic or Latino32%
Black7.8%
Asian0%
Other or more than one race0.8%

Shown for information only. It is never part of any grade.

Weather in Buffalo

Buffalo has a hot Texas climate. July highs average 94°F and January lows about 35°F. There are about 100 days a year at 90°F or above, and about 42 inches of rain a year.

Average monthly high and low temperatures in Buffalo30°50°70°90°60J63F70M78A84M90J94J95A89S80O69N61DRain

Average daily high and low by month, °F, with rain below. NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals from Centerville, 15 mi away. Orange months average 90°F or more.

Natural hazard risk

    Source: FEMA National Risk Index, December 2025, Census tract level averaged for the city. Check the FEMA flood map for any address before you buy.

    Places near Buffalo

    Nearby, Jewett gets a C+, Centerville gets a D+ and Teague gets a B-. Each is graded against Texas places of its own size, so a small town and a big city can both earn an A.

    1. C+JewettTown, 1,075 people8 mi
    2. D+CentervilleTown, 1,053 people15 mi
    3. B-TeagueTown, 3,476 people17 mi
    4. D-FairfieldTown, 2,924 people19 mi
    5. C+GroesbeckTown, 3,914 people28 mi
    6. D-MexiaTown, 6,859 people29 mi

    Living in Buffalo: common questions

    Is Buffalo, TX a good place to live?

    Buffalo gets an overall grade of B- and ranks 303rd of 745 Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people. It does best on cost of living and getting around, and trails on health and education levels. It is a strong pick for people on a budget.

    How much does it cost to live in Buffalo?

    Renters in Buffalo pay a median of $733 a month, 48% lower than the Texas median. The median home is worth $73,500, 74% lower than the Texas median. A median home costs 1.6x the median household income, compared with 3.6x across Texas. With 20% down at a 7.28% rate, the monthly payment on a median home is about $496, including property tax.

    Is Buffalo safe?

    In 2025, Buffalo Police Department reported 156 violent crimes per 100,000 people, 60% lower than the Texas rate. Property crime was 1,144 per 100,000, 45% lower than the Texas rate.

    Are the schools good in Buffalo?

    We found 3 rated public school campuses inside Buffalo. 100% are rated A or B by the Texas Education Agency. Its schools score is 69 of 100 compared with other Texas towns of 1,000 to 10,000 people.

    What is the weather like in Buffalo?

    Summers in Buffalo peak at about 94°F in July, and January nights fall to about 35°F. Expect around 100 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and 42 inches of rain.

    How long is the commute in Buffalo?

    The average one-way commute is 22 min, 19% lower than the Texas average. About 3.1% of workers work from home.

    Sources: US Census Bureau 2020-2024 ACS 5-year and 2025 population estimates, CDC PLACES 2025, Texas Education Agency 2025 ratings, FBI Crime Data Explorer, FEMA National Risk Index, NOAA climate normals, HUD fair market rents, Overture Maps. Updated 2026-10-04. How we grade.