Buffalo, NY Airbnb Market Data, Statistics, and Occupancy Rates

Buffalo Short-Term Rental Market Overview

Buffalo presents an appealing entry point for short-term rental investors, combining above-average revenue relative to property prices with an average home value of $330,347 — well below the New York state average daily rate of $381. With 562 active Airbnb listings and an average annual revenue of $24,667, the market rewards operators who can capitalize on pronounced summer demand and relatively affordable acquisition costs. The ROI score of 69 out of 100 places Buffalo in the "Attractive Opportunity" tier, driven primarily by its strong revenue-to-price ratio.

Key Market Statistics

According to Rabbu market data, the Buffalo short-term rental market shows:

Data sources: Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026.

Why Investors Consider Buffalo

Buffalo's combination of affordable real estate and above-average revenue yield makes it a compelling consideration for investors seeking cash-flow opportunities in an underpriced New York market.

Expert Market Assessment

"Buffalo earns an "Attractive Opportunity" designation thanks to its favorable revenue-to-price dynamics and balanced supply landscape. Seasonality is the most important variable to plan around: July revenue ($3,556) is nearly four times what hosts earn in January ($910), so cash-flow modeling should account for a significant winter dip. The mid-market bedroom sizes — two and three bedrooms — dominate supply and deliver solid RevPAN, while larger homes offer outsized revenue potential for investors willing to manage higher nightly rates and lower occupancy. Overall, the market rewards disciplined operators who can optimize pricing through seasonal swings and maintain competitive amenity sets."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Key Airbnb Metrics & Trends in Buffalo

Average revenue by month in Buffalo

Buffalo's revenue curve peaks sharply in July ($3,556) and August ($3,420), then tapers through fall before hitting its lowest point in January ($910). The nearly 4x spread between peak and trough underscores a heavily seasonal market where summer-focused pricing and winter cost management are critical for maintaining positive cash flow year-round.

Active Airbnb listings by property size in Buffalo

One-, two-, and three-bedroom listings dominate Buffalo's supply nearly equally (169, 152, and 154 listings respectively), accounting for roughly 85% of the market. Studios (14) and 5+ bedroom properties (30 combined) remain underserved, potentially signaling less competition at the extremes of the size spectrum.

Average daily rate (ADR) by property size in Buffalo

ADR climbs steadily from $86 for studios to a peak of $526 for 5-bedroom properties, with 6+ bedrooms settling at $412. The jump from 4 bedrooms ($242) to 5 bedrooms ($526) represents the steepest premium in the market, suggesting strong group-travel pricing power for larger homes.

Average RevPAN by property size in Buffalo

Five-bedroom properties deliver the highest RevPAN at $97 per night, followed by 6+ bedrooms at $93, both significantly outpacing the market average of $48. Mid-sized 2- and 3-bedroom units cluster around $46–$47 in RevPAN, offering a more accessible entry point with respectable per-night yield.

Average occupancy rates by property size in Buffalo

Studios lead occupancy at 49%, well above the market average of 30%, while larger properties (4–6+ bedrooms) fill at just 18–25%. For investors prioritizing consistent bookings and cash-flow stability, smaller units are the safer bet, though the lower occupancy on larger homes is offset by substantially higher nightly rates.

Average monthly revenue by property size in Buffalo

Monthly revenue scales dramatically with size: 1-bedroom units average $1,442, while 6+ bedroom properties pull in $7,816 — more than five times as much. The 4-bedroom tier ($3,286) represents a notable step up from 3 bedrooms ($2,409), making it a practical middle ground between manageable acquisition cost and strong monthly income.

Average annual revenue by property size in Buffalo

Annual revenue ranges from $17,309 for 1-bedroom listings to $93,797 for 6+ bedroom homes, clearly rewarding investors who scale up in property size. Five-bedroom properties at $66,492 per year and 4-bedrooms at $39,436 offer compelling return potential, particularly when weighed against Buffalo's moderate home prices.

Most common amenities for Airbnb listings in Buffalo

Parking (96%), kitchens (93%), and self check-in (88%) are near-universal in Buffalo's listings, establishing them as baseline expectations rather than differentiators. Investors looking to stand out should consider amenities with lower adoption — hot tubs (2%), EV chargers (4%), and gyms (2%) — which could attract premium guests in a market where outdoor and comfort-oriented features are still relatively uncommon.

Understanding Buffalo's ROI Score: 69/100

Rabbu's ROI Score is a proprietary metric that evaluates short-term rental investment potential based on multiple factors.

How the ROI Score is Calculated

What This Means for Investors

Buffalo's ROI score of 69 out of 100 places it in the "Attractive Opportunity" band, driven primarily by an above-average revenue-to-price ratio that makes up 40% of the score calculation. Occupancy stability, market growth, and supply/demand balance each register at average levels, suggesting a fundamentally sound market without extreme tailwinds or headwinds. Pairing this score with thorough local regulatory research and a clear seasonality plan will help investors determine whether Buffalo fits their portfolio strategy.

Short-Term Rental Regulations in Buffalo

Understanding local STR regulations is essential before investing in Buffalo. Here's the current regulatory landscape:

Permit Requirements

The City of Buffalo and New York State may require short-term rental hosts to obtain a permit or register their property before listing it on platforms like Airbnb. Investors should verify current licensing requirements directly with Buffalo's municipal offices and the New York Department of State to ensure compliance.

Key Restrictions

Common restrictions in markets like Buffalo can include occupancy limits, minimum-stay requirements, noise ordinances, parking mandates, and caps on the number of permits issued. HOA rules and zoning designations may further limit where STRs can operate, so reviewing all applicable covenants and local ordinances before purchasing is essential.

Tax Obligations

Short-term rental hosts in New York State are generally subject to state and local occupancy taxes, sales tax, and potentially a tourism-related surcharge. Platforms like Airbnb often collect and remit some of these taxes on behalf of hosts, but operators should confirm their specific obligations with a tax professional familiar with Buffalo's requirements.

Regulations subject to change. Always verify with local authorities before purchasing. A Rabbu partner agent specializing in Buffalo can provide current regulatory guidance.

Future Outlook & Long-Term Forecast

"Over the next 12–18 months, Buffalo's short-term rental market is expected to maintain steady seasonal patterns with peak revenue concentrated in the July–August window. ADR could see modest upward pressure in the range of 1–3% as listing supply has held relatively stable (98% year-over-year retention), keeping supply-demand dynamics balanced. Occupancy rates are likely to hover around 28–33% annually given the market's winter softness, though summer months should continue to push well above the yearly average. Investors entering now should plan cash reserves for the January–March trough and price strategically to capture the strong warm-weather corridor."

— Rabbu Market Analysis Team

Frequently asked questions about Airbnb in Buffalo, NY

What is the average Airbnb occupancy rate in Buffalo?

The average occupancy rate for Airbnb listings in Buffalo is currently 30%, which trails the New York state average of 40%. Occupancy varies significantly by property size — studios lead at 49%, while larger homes (5+ bedrooms) tend to sit around 18–23%. Seasonal demand plays a major role, with summer months driving the highest booking volumes.

How much do Airbnb hosts make in Buffalo?

Based on the trailing 12 months of booking data, the average Airbnb host in Buffalo earns approximately $2,055 per month or $24,667 per year. Revenue scales considerably with property size: 1-bedroom listings average around $17,309 annually, while 6+ bedroom properties can generate up to $93,797 per year. Peak summer months like July can yield over $3,500 in a single month.

Is Buffalo a good market for Airbnb investment?

Buffalo scores 69 out of 100 on Rabbu's ROI Score, placing it in the "Attractive Opportunity" category. The market's strongest asset is its above-average revenue-to-price ratio — average home values around $330,347 are modest relative to the revenue listings generate. Investors should be prepared for pronounced seasonality, with winter months earning significantly less than the summer peak, but the affordable entry point and balanced supply landscape make it a worthwhile market to evaluate.

What is the average daily rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Buffalo?

The current average daily rate in Buffalo is $161, which is well below the New York state average of $381. ADR scales with property size: studios average $86 per night, while 5-bedroom properties command $526 per night. This pricing structure reflects Buffalo's position as an affordable destination relative to other New York markets.

Are short-term rentals legal in Buffalo?

Short-term rentals do operate in Buffalo, with 562 active Airbnb listings currently tracked. However, hosts may need permits or registrations from the City of Buffalo and New York State. Regulations can change, so prospective investors should verify all current licensing requirements, zoning rules, and any HOA restrictions before purchasing a property for STR use.

When is peak season for Airbnb in Buffalo?

Peak season in Buffalo runs from June through August, with July being the single strongest month at an average revenue of $3,556 per listing. August follows closely at $3,420. The off-peak trough lands in January ($910) and February ($1,022), creating a roughly 4:1 ratio between peak and low-season earnings that investors need to factor into their cash-flow planning.

How many Airbnbs are there in Buffalo?

As of April 2026, there are 562 active Airbnb listings in Buffalo. The supply is fairly evenly distributed among 1-bedroom (169), 2-bedroom (152), and 3-bedroom (154) properties, which together account for the majority of listings. Year-over-year listing retention stands at 98%, indicating a stable supply base.

How is Airbnb revenue calculated in Buffalo?

The annual and monthly revenue figures for Buffalo are derived from the trailing 12 months of historical booking performance for active comparable Airbnb listings in the market — they are not forward-looking projections. Rabbu averages each comparable listing's actual revenue per available night (RevPAN) by month over the past year, removes regional outliers, and rolls the remainder up to a market-level historical average. Because each month uses its own historical performance data, the figures naturally reflect seasonal peaks and slower months. Individual results can vary based on property quality, pricing strategy, and operational management.

About Rabbu Market Data

Rabbu provides Airbnb and short-term rental market data and statistics across the United States. Our mission is to empower investors with accurate insights and easy-to-use tools, so they can confidently identify and act on the best opportunities in the Airbnb market.

What this data includes

• Regularly updated active Airbnb and STR listing counts by market and property size
• Occupancy rates, average daily rates, and RevPAN trends across bedroom configurations
• Monthly and annual revenue metrics based on trailing 12-month booking performance
• Home value data sourced from Zillow Home Value Index for investment cost context
• Amenity prevalence data across active listings to benchmark guest expectations

Sources and disclaimers

Rabbu proprietary analytics as of Apr, 27 2026 and Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI) as of Mar, 17 2026. Revenue projections are estimates based on comparable properties and do not guarantee future performance. Data reflects trailing performance and market conditions as of April 2026; actual results may differ as conditions evolve. Local regulations governing short-term rentals can change — investors should verify current rules with municipal and state authorities before purchasing.