Buffalo Sales Tax
New York. Combined state + county + city. Category exemptions and how it compares to neighboring states.
Category exemptions in New York
What gets taxed and what's exempt — these rules apply across the entire state of New York, including Buffalo.
| Category | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Exempt | Unprepared food at grocery stores. |
| Clothing | Exempt | Clothing & footwear under $110 exempt from state portion; local rules vary |
| Prescription drugs | Exempt | Prescribed medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. |
Sales tax on common amounts
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.88 | $10.88 |
| $50 | $4.38 | $54.38 |
| $100 | $8.75 | $108.75 |
| $250 | $21.88 | $271.88 |
| $500 | $43.75 | $543.75 |
| $1,000 | $87.50 | $1087.50 |
| $5,000 | $437.50 | $5437.50 |
| $10,000 | $875.00 | $10875.00 |
Border shopping — neighboring states
For larger purchases, driving to a neighboring state with lower sales tax can save real money. Top metro sales tax in each contiguous neighbor of New York.
| State | Reference city | Rate | vs Buffalo | $1,000 savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (current) | Buffalo | 8.75% | — | — |
| Vermont | Colchester | 6.00% | -2.75% | $27.50 |
| Pennsylvania | Allentown | 6.00% | -2.75% | $27.50 |
| Massachusetts | Boston | 6.25% | -2.50% | $25.00 |
| Connecticut | Hartford | 6.35% | -2.40% | $24.00 |
| New Jersey | Newark | 6.63% | -2.12% | $21.25 |
Use tax (state where you live) may still apply on out-of-state purchases for items shipped or for registered goods like vehicles. For everyday retail walked across the border, savings are realized at point of sale.
Other cities in New York
Rochester has the lowest combined rate in our New York coverage at 8.00% — that's 0.75% below Buffalo ($7.50 less per $1,000 spent).
Common questions
- What is the total sales tax rate in Buffalo?
- Buffalo, New York charges a combined sales tax of 8.75%. That's 4.00% state tax plus 4.75% local (county + city + special district) on top.
- Are groceries taxed in Buffalo?
- New York exempts unprepared groceries from state sales tax. Hot or prepared food (deli, restaurant, hot bar) is still taxable at the full combined rate.
- Is clothing taxed in Buffalo?
- New York treats clothing favorably. Clothing & footwear under $110 exempt from state portion; local rules vary
- How do I save on sales tax when shopping in Buffalo?
- Three levers: (1) shop online from a state with no sales tax, (2) buy exempt categories (groceries, clothing, prescription drugs), (3) drive across the border if a nearby state has a lower rate.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Local sales tax rates change frequently and may include special district levies not modeled here. Verify with the retailer or local taxing authority for large purchases. Category exemption rules and tax holidays change by year — check the New York Department of Revenue for current rules. Methodology → New York state rate →
Last reviewed: · Beforeview Editorial · editorial policy