Salary expectations: how do you answer? - what worked for you?

A recruiter asked for my salary expectations on a first call as I look for work as a recruiter. I am in Buffalo, in case local advice matters. I also do not want to sell myself short. Does giving a range hurt?

Check several sources for pay in Buffalo, then pick a range where the low end is one you can live with.

I gave a range based on local postings and said I was flexible depending on the whole package. They did not push back.