Section 8 Payment Standards — Buffalo, New York (FY 2026)
HUD Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) data for Buffalo ZIP codes, plus how Section 8 rent compares to typical market asking rents.
Erie County distressed rentals often pencil on Section 8 rent when they fail a straight market-rent analysis.
County est. 2BR SAFMR
$1,343
County median home value
$304,052
Est. Section 8 yield
5.3%
On a typical Buffalo county home, HUD's 2BR limit ($1,343/mo) vs an estimated market asking rent (~$2,432/mo) suggests a +-$1,089/mo Section 8 premium before utilities, payment standard adjustments, and rent reasonableness.
Sample Buffalo ZIP codes — FY 2026 SAFMR
Payment standards vary by ZIP and bedroom count. Always confirm current limits with the local housing authority before underwriting a deal.
| ZIP | 0BR | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14201 | $1,120 | $1,150 | $1,360 | $1,660 | $1,890 |
| 14207 | $950 | $980 | $1,160 | $1,420 | $1,610 |
| 14211 | $1,070 | $1,100 | $1,300 | $1,590 | $1,810 |
Why Section 8 rent matters in Buffalo
Most investors underwrite Buffalo rentals using Zillow or market asking rent. Section 8 uses HUD SAFMR payment standards — and in many New York markets the gap between HUD rent and market rent is what makes a property cash-flow.
Local PHAs may set payment standards between 90% and 110% of SAFMR, subtract utility allowances, and run rent reasonableness tests. Use full SAFMR as a ceiling, not a guarantee on every door.
Search live Buffalo listings scored on Section 8 rent
Rich from Section 8 merges live for-sale inventory in Buffalo, NY with official HUD SAFMR data, rent gap scoring, and instant cash-flow underwriting — not Zillow rent guesses.
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