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City · 19,753 residents · Erie County, New York

Lackawanna , New York

In Lackawanna, a typical home is worth $140,700 and typical rent is $872 a month. Compared with all of Erie County, the typical home value is 40% lower, typical household income is 28% lower, and the share of households that own their home is 10 points lower.

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  • Typical home value

    $140,700

    40% below the county

    67% below New York

    • Lackawanna
    • Erie
    • New York

  • Typical rent

    $872a month

    20% below the county

    46% below New York

    • Lackawanna
    • Erie
    • New York

  • Typical household income

    $52,110a year

    28% below the county

    39% below New York

    • Lackawanna
    • Erie
    • New York

  • Households that own their home

    56%

    10 points below the county

    2 points above New York

    • Lackawanna
    • Erie
    • New York

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

Lackawanna is in Erie County. The FHA loan limit ($541,287 for a one-unit home), the fair market rents and the help on this page are those of all of Erie County. See the county

Data updated: October 1, 2026 11 official sources

Only here

What sets Lackawanna apart

What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.

  1. The typical home in Lackawanna is worth $140,700, 40% less than in Erie County as a whole ($233,800).

  2. The typical household income in Lackawanna is $52,110, 28% less than in Erie County as a whole ($72,839).

  3. Lackawanna has the 19th lowest typical rent of the 333 cities in New York with more than 5,000 people ($872).

  4. 56% of households in Lackawanna own their home, against 66% in Erie County.

  5. 13% of households in Lackawanna have no internet at home (7% in Erie County).

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).

The homes here

Housing in Lackawanna

What homes there are in Lackawanna, what they cost, how that changed and how people live, from Census figures (2020–2024).

What homes there are

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Kind of home

In Lackawanna there is a bit of everything: no kind of home reaches half. The most common are detached houses (47%); in Erie County, 59%.

Year built

By age, homes in Lackawanna look like those in Erie County: the typical year built is 1954.

Homes in Lackawanna are smaller: 58% have 3 bedrooms or more; in Erie County, 64%.

All homes, occupied or empty. A figure the Census cannot measure precisely enough here is not shown.

Census tables: B25024, B25034, B25035, B25041

What it costs here

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

Value of owner-occupied homes
Monthly rent with utilities

About 92% of rented homes in Lackawanna cost less than HUD's 2-bedroom fair market rent for Erie County ($1,423).

With a mortgage

$1,232 a month

Erie County: $1,619 a month

Without a mortgage

$615 a month

Erie County: $661 a month

Owners with a mortgage

47%

Erie County: 57%

In Lackawanna, 47% of owners have a mortgage, and their typical cost is $1,232 a month, against $1,619 in Erie County. Without one it drops to $615.

Value: what owners think their home is worth. Rent: rent plus utilities, for homes of every size. The FHA limit is the most an FHA loan (Federal Housing Administration) lends for a one-unit home; the fair market rent (FMR) is the one HUD uses for housing vouchers.

Census tables: B25075, B25063, B25088, B25081

How it changed

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024

Change since 2015–2019

Homes in Lackawanna gained value more slowly than in Erie County: 49% since 2015–2019, against 52%.

Much as in Erie County, the typical rent in Lackawanna rose 33% since 2015–2019.

The typical household income in Lackawanna rose 36% over that time; home values changed +49% and rent +33%.

Change between two 5-year periods that do not overlap, in each period's dollars, not adjusted for inflation.

Census tables: B25077, B25064, B19013

How people live

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year, 2020–2024

MeasureLackawannaErie CountyNew YorkUnited States
Rental vacancy Unreliable estimate3.8%3.8%5.5%
Homeowner vacancy Unreliable estimate0.6%1.1%0.9%
More than one person per room Unreliable estimate1.3%5.3%3.4%
People per household 2.332.262.492.53
Drive alone 71%72%49%69%
Carpool 14%8%6%9%
Public transit Unreliable estimate3%22%3%
Walk or bike Unreliable estimate3%6%3%
Work from home 8%13%15%15%
Other means Unreliable estimate1%2%2%
Typical commute 10 to 19 minutesUnreliable estimate20 to 29 minutes20 to 29 minutes

Much as in Erie County, a household in Lackawanna has 2.33 people on average.

Carpooling is common in Lackawanna: 14% of workers get to work that way, against 8% in Erie County.

Vacancy: empty homes offered for rent or for sale. Rooms: every room in the home, not only bedrooms. Commute: the minute range of the typical worker.

Census tables: B25004, B25003, B25014, B25010, B08301, B08303

Do the math

What would you pay each month for a home in Lackawanna?

A typical home is tight for the typical income

We start with a typical home in Lackawanna, worth $140,700, an FHA loan with 3.5% down and the latest average rate (7.18%). That payment would take 32% of the typical household income in Lackawanna, which is $52,110 a year. For that payment to be 28% of income, a household would need to earn about $58,655 a year.

The calculator's FHA and conventional loan limits are those of all of Erie County.

Your numbers

Local data
$

Starts at the typical home value in Lackawanna. Change it to the price you have in mind.

Loan type
Your credit score

Your score changes which loans apply and FHA's minimum down payment. Your real rate also depends on your credit.

Down payment
%

That is $4,925 (3.5% of the price). The usual minimum for this loan is 3.5%.

This week's average ± a quarter or half point.

Term

National average as of November 5, 2026 (Freddie Mac); your rate may be different.

Adjust advanced details

Estimated monthly payment

Local data

$1,369

at 7.18% · 30 years

Loan amount
$138,151
Total interest
$198,767
Paid off in
November 2056

Includes $2,376 FHA upfront mortgage insurance premium.

Does it fit the income?

  • Comfortable

    up to $1,216 a month

  • Tight

    $1,216 to $1,563 a month

    Your payment · 32%

  • Hard

    more than $1,563 a month

Compared with the typical household income in Lackawanna ($52,110 a year). Reference: HUD calls paying more than 30% of income for housing a cost burden.

Show the result as
per month$1,369
Principal & interest$936
Property tax$312
Home insurance$59
FHA mortgage insurance (MIP)$62

You need at least $4,925 for the down payment, plus closing costs.

Next step

This is an estimate to give you an idea, not a loan offer. Your real payment depends on your rate, your credit, and the insurance and taxes on the home you buy.

The city and its county

Lackawanna and Erie County

Lackawanna is in Erie County, New York. The U.S. Census Bureau publishes its own numbers for the city: home values, rent, household income, how many households own their home and the property tax. They are American Community Survey estimates (average 2020–2024).

Lackawanna's own numbers

Typical home value
$140,700
Typical monthly rent
$872
Typical yearly household income
$52,110
Households that own their home
56%
Effective property tax rate
2.66%

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (average 2020–2024).

Numbers for all of Erie County

FHA limit, one-unit home
$541,287
Conventional limit, one unit
$832,750
HUD fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,423
Price change over 5 years (FHFA)
+58%
Homes in a high flood-risk zone
1%

HUD, FHFA and FEMA don't publish these numbers by city.

Other numbers are not published by city, only for the whole county: FHA and conventional loan limits, HUD’s fair market rents, FHFA’s price index and FEMA’s flood data. On this page, those numbers always say they are for all of Erie County.

Everything about Erie County

Buying

Buying a home in Lackawanna

A typical home in Lackawanna is worth $140,700: 40% below the county and 67% below New York. With the typical household income in Lackawanna ($52,110 a year), a typical home costs 2.7 times what the household earns in a year.

Years of income to pay for a typical home

The typical home value divided by the typical household income for one year. The lower it is, the less buying weighs.

  • Lackawanna 2.7 years
  • Erie 3.2 years
  • New York 4.9 years
  • United States 4.1 years
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Average 2020–2024

How prices have changed in Erie County

According to FHFA’s house price index, home prices in Erie County rose 104% in the 10 years through 2025.

FHFA does not publish this index by city: these are the numbers for all of Erie County.

Period County New York U.S.
Last year (2025) +6.2% +6.0% +2.9%
5 years (2020–2025) +58% +52% +47%
10 years (2015–2025) +104% +86% +85%

The index follows the price of the same homes over time (sales and appraisals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans). It is not the average price of a home. FHFA considers its annual county indexes experimental. Source: FHFA, 2025 data

Lackawanna next to Erie County, New York and the U.S.

Three numbers side by side. “Typical” means the median: half are above it and half below.

Typical home value
  • Lackawanna $140,700
  • Erie $233,800
  • New York $423,800
  • United States $332,700
Typical monthly rent
  • Lackawanna $872
  • Erie $1,090
  • New York $1,621
  • United States $1,413
Typical yearly household income
  • Lackawanna $52,110
  • Erie $72,839
  • New York $85,974
  • United States $80,734
See the full table
Lackawanna next to Erie County and New York
Measure Lackawanna Erie County New York U.S.
Typical home value $140,700 $233,800 $423,800 $332,700
Typical monthly rent $872 $1,090 $1,621 $1,413
Typical yearly household income $52,110 $72,839 $85,974 $80,734
Households that own their home 56% 66% 54% 65%
Typical yearly property tax $3,745 $4,622 $6,582 $3,119
Effective property tax rate 2.66% 1.98% 1.55% 0.94%
Renters with high rent for their income 52% 50% 52% 51%

“Typical” means the median: half are above and half are below. ▲ and ▼ say whether the city is above or below Erie County. “High rent” is the Census measure: renter households that pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

Four ways to pay for a typical home in Lackawanna

For a typical $140,700 home in Lackawanna, at Freddie Mac's average rate (7.18% as of November 5, 2026) over 30 years. The monthly payment adds principal and interest, Lackawanna's typical property tax, an example home insurance and mortgage insurance when it applies.

  • FHA, 3.5% down $1,369a month

    Least cash to close
    Down payment
    $4,925
    Cash to close
    $9,146
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    FHA MIP · $62

  • Conventional, 5% down $1,343a month

    Down payment
    $7,035
    Cash to close
    $11,256
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    PMI · $67

  • Conventional, 20% down, no PMI $1,133a month

    Down payment
    $28,140
    Cash to close
    $32,361
    Rate
    7.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

  • ITIN, 15% down (example) $1,263a month

    Down payment
    $21,105
    Cash to close
    $25,326
    Rate
    8.18%
    Mortgage insurance
    None

The option that asks for the least cash to close is FHA, 3.5% down.

  • Cash to close = down payment plus 3% of the price in closing costs (example).
  • Minimum score: FHA requires 580 or higher for the minimum down payment (HUD Handbook 4000.1). * Fannie Mae requires 620 when a loan is underwritten by hand; its automated system has no fixed minimum.
  • The ITIN row is an example with a rate 1 percentage point higher: ITIN loans follow no federal rule and each lender sets its own down payment and rate. Nothing in this table promises an approval.

How much house can I afford? Estimate closing costs

Taxes and floods

Two costs that change from place to place

Property tax and flood insurance raise or lower what you pay each month. Here are the numbers for Lackawanna and for Erie County.

Property tax

Effective rate in Lackawanna

2.66%of the home’s value each year

$3,745 a year for the typical owner in Lackawanna.

  • Lackawanna 2.66%
  • Erie 1.98%
  • New York 1.55%

What New York publishes Basic STAR school tax relief (New York State Department of Taxation and Finance)

Exemptions and deadlines in New York

Flood risk in Erie County

FEMA does not publish these numbers by city: they are for all of Erie County.

Homes in the high-risk zone
1%
3,298
Of those, with NFIP insurance
28%
County New York U.S.
Homes in the high-risk zone 1% 2% 3.5%
Of those, with NFIP insurance 28% 76% 48%

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage.

Look up your address on FEMA’s map

Renting

Renting in Lackawanna

Typical rent in Lackawanna is $872 a month: 20% below the county. In Lackawanna, 52% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income in rent.

HUD publishes a fair market rent for all of Erie County, by unit size. To pay the 2-bedroom one ($1,423 a month) without spending more than 30% of your income, you would need to earn $27.37 an hour working full time.

HUD fair market rent for all of Erie County

What you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income, working full time.

Size Fair rent a month Hourly wage Yearly income
Studio $1,178 $22.65 $47,120
1 bedroom $1,203 $23.13 $48,120
2 bedrooms $1,423 $27.37 $56,920
3 bedrooms $1,732 $33.31 $69,280
4 bedrooms $1,977 $38.02 $79,080

Includes basic utilities. It isn't the lowest or highest rent: it's a reference point. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027

By ZIP code

Fair market rent by ZIP code in Lackawanna

HUD also publishes a fair market rent for each ZIP code (Small Area FMR, fiscal year 2027). Lackawanna is in ZIP code 14218.

For 2 bedrooms it is $1,230: $193 less than the fair market rent for Erie County ($1,423).

  • 14218 $1,230$1,500

1 of these ZIP codes crosses the city line: HUD sets the rent by ZIP code, not by city. A ZIP code counts for Lackawanna when at least 50% of its land is inside the city or it covers at least 15% of the city (Census 2020 boundaries). Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Source: Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file Data from 2020 data Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file

Is your rent high for your ZIP?

Low-income apartments

Low-income apartments in Lackawanna

HUD lists 9 buildings with rents for lower incomes in Lackawanna. These are the largest.

  • Baker Homes 34 Olcott St, Lackawanna 14218 271 low-income homes · Run by Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority · Average payment: $442 a month · Average wait: 21 months (716) 823-2551
  • Dorothy Glover Apts. 54 Gates Ave, Lackawanna 14218 126 homes, 125 low-income · Run by Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority · Average payment: $377 a month · Average wait: 23 months (716) 823-2551
  • Parkview Towers 600 Ridge Rd, Lackawanna 14218 94 low-income homes · Run by Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority · Average payment: $386 a month · Average wait: 5 months (716) 823-2551
  • Victory Ridge Apts 55A Melroy Ave, Lackawanna 14218 74 homes, 67 low-income · 1 bd: 67 · 2 bd: 7 · In service since 2006 · For older adults
  • Sunflower Housing 146 Franklin St, Lackawanna 14218 49 low-income homes · For older adults (716) 823-1874

See all 231 buildings in Erie County Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026

Free help

Help to buy or rent in Lackawanna

You do not have to do this alone. A HUD-approved housing counseling agency helps for free or at low cost: getting ready to buy, understanding your credit, or solving a problem with your rent.

There are 5 HUD-approved agencies with an office in Erie County; 2 say they serve in Spanish.

A pregnant woman reads paperwork on the sofa while the grandmother plays with the girl on the floor.

HUD counseling is free or low-cost

Assistance programs in Lackawanna

No down payment, repair or rent-help program on our list is for Lackawanna or Erie County. The ones below are statewide in New York: they work in Lackawanna the same as in the rest of the state.

Which programs do I qualify for? All programs in New York

Housing counselors near Lackawanna

The HUD-approved agencies closest to the center of Lackawanna, in a straight line, nearest first. If one says it serves in Spanish, its card says so.

  • Parachute Credit Counseling, Inc.

    40 Gardenville Pkwy Ste 300, West Seneca · 5 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (800) 926-9685

  • NSC (naca Counseling Subsidiary) - Buffalo, NY

    135 Delaware Ave Ste 102, Buffalo · 5 miles away · Spanish

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Budget and financial counseling
    • and 5 more
    (716) 834-6222

  • Buffalo Urban League, Inc.

    15 Genesee St, Buffalo · 5 miles away

    • Mortgage delinquency and default
    • Mortgage delinquency workshops
    • and 9 more
    (716) 250-2400

Every agency in Erie County All counseling agencies in New York

Help in Spanish near Lackawanna

1 of the 3 agencies on this list says it serves in Spanish.

Ask for service in Spanish

When you call, say “Spanish, please” or ask if someone speaks Spanish. If not, ask whether they offer an interpreter.

Housing authorities of Lackawanna

HUD’s record names them for Lackawanna or Erie County. They run public housing or Section 8 vouchers. Ask whether their waiting list is open.

  • Lackawanna Municipal Housing Authority Public housing (716) 823-2551

5 other authorities have an office in Erie County: see the list Source: HUD

Cities

Other cities in Erie County

These cities are also in Erie County. They share its loan limits and fair market rents, but home values and rent change from one to the next.

Everything about Erie County Housing in New York
See 2 more cities in Erie County, with prices and rents

Every city has its own page with prices, rents and help.

Nearby cities

The cities closest to Lackawanna, with the typical home value.

Neighboring counties

If Erie County is out of reach, look next door. Each number is that county's own.

Keep going

Guides for your next step

Short explanations, in plain language and with official sources, for buying or renting in Lackawanna.

All guides
A father, a mother and their daughter smile among the avocado trees by their home in Somis, California.

Questions

Housing questions about Lackawanna

Short answers with the numbers for Lackawanna and all of Erie County. If your case is different, a HUD-approved counseling agency can guide you for free or at low cost.

How much does a typical home cost in Lackawanna?

The typical home value in Lackawanna is $140,700, according to the U.S. Census Bureau (average 2020–2024). For comparison, in Erie County it is $233,800.

How much does it cost to rent in Lackawanna?

Typical rent in Lackawanna is $872 a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. HUD’s fair market rent for 2 bedrooms in Erie County is $1,423.

What is the FHA loan limit in Lackawanna?

Lackawanna uses the FHA limit for all of Erie County (2026): $541,287 for a one-unit home and $1,041,125 for a four-unit home.

How much property tax do owners pay in Lackawanna?

The typical homeowner in Lackawanna pays $3,745 a year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That is 2.66% of the home’s value; in Erie County, the rate is 1.98%.

Where can I find free help to buy or rent in Lackawanna?

There are 5 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in Erie County. 2 say they serve in Spanish. They can help you get ready to buy, with your credit, or with rent.

Sources: American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates (Average 2020–2024); FHA mortgage limits (HUD) (2026 data); Conforming loan limits (FHFA) (2026 data); Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (Fiscal year 2027); Census Bureau ZCTA-to-place relationship file (2020 data); HUD-approved housing counseling agencies (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Public Housing Agencies (HUD) (Retrieved November 6, 2026); Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (PMMS) (As of November 5, 2026); FHFA House Price Index (HPI) (2025 data); Homes with flood insurance (NFIP, FEMA) (As of August 3, 2026).