| Index | Jamestown | New York | National |
| Cost of living | 83 | 121 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 106 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 110 | 100 |
| Housing | 45 | 144 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 113 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 112 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 111 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 106 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 118 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Jamestown? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Jamestown stands at 83, making it 17% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
Housing expenses often consume a significant portion of your net income, occasionally surpassing 30%. Fortunately, housing costs in Jamestown are 54.7% below the national average. This highlights the region's exceptional affordability for both homeownership and rentals in comparison to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more reasonable fraction of their income to housing, resulting in enhanced financial flexibility and improved overall financial well-being.
Is Jamestown affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Jamestown, the median home price is 62.5% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 36.4% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Jamestown boasting a median household income of $51,027, 37.3% lower than the national average.
Taxes: Locations with elevated tax rates, encompassing both sales and income taxes, can be a factor in driving up the cost of living. When you're paying more in taxes for everyday household expenses, it naturally translates into higher expenses. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can also contribute to an overall higher cost of living. In Jamestown, the standard sales tax rate starts at 4%, and the income tax rates commence at 4%.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
Groceries: The costs associated with groceries have witnessed substantial increases over the past 2-3 years. In select markets, food prices have escalated by more than 20% during this timeframe, whereas others have seen more restrained upticks. The variances in food expenses can exert a considerable influence on the overall cost of living in a given locale. In Jamestown, the groceries index is 2.7% lower than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Jamestown are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
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| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $87,493 | $7,291 | $2,041 | $2,625 |
| Renters | $32,414 | $2,701 | $756 | $973 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| New York | 4% | 8.875% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| New York | 4% | 10.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Chautauqua, NY | 311 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Kennedy, NY | 271 | 78 | 22.0% |
| Sinclairville, NY | 636 | 82 | 17.8% |
| Falconer, NY | 2,331 | 83 | 16.6% |
| Randolph, NY | 1,073 | 91 | 8.8% |
| Jamestown, NY | 30,127 | 83 | 17.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Oak Park, MI | 30,129 | 94 | 5.9% |
| Austintown, OH | 30,122 | 86 | 14.4% |
| Southgate, MI | 30,149 | 92 | 8.3% |
| O'Fallon, IL | 30,151 | 106 | 5.8% |
| Crofton, MD | 30,100 | 139 | 39.2% |
| Jamestown, NY | 30,127 | 83 | 17.3% |