| Index | Oil City | Pennsylvania | National |
| Cost of living | 82 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 97 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 97 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 42 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 101 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 96 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 102 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 98 | 101 | 100 |
The cost of living in Oil City affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Oil City is 82, which is 18% lower than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
Housing expenses can absorb a substantial portion of your net income, sometimes exceeding 30%. Thankfully, Oil City stands out by reporting housing costs that are 58.1% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more budget-friendly compared to the rest of the country. With such favorable housing affordability, residents of Oil City can allocate a more reasonable portion of their income to housing, allowing for greater financial flexibility.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 6 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Oil City. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 33% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 67% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is Oil City an affordable place to live? That's a valid question to ask when you're thinking about moving to a new city. After all, how much it costs to live somewhere can be a huge factor in your decision. Affordability can be broken down into 3 common categories. The cost of living index (we talked about it earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a big role in figuring out if a place is affordable. For instance, in Oil City, the median home price is 69.2% lower than what most folks pay across the country, and monthly rent prices are 32.1% lower than the usual rates. Income levels in Oil City come in at $61,593, which is 24.3% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.
Utilities: As with the prices of anything else, utility costs can exhibit significant variations, contingent on factors like climate, energy source availability, geographic location and state regulations. The expenses associated with electricity, water, heating, and waste disposal can fluctuate, either upward or downward, depending on the particular city or state. In Oil City, the utilities index registers 0.7% higher than the national average.
Transportation: When public transportation options are limited or non-existent, residents frequently resort to vehicle ownership, which can significantly contribute to the overall cost of living. Monthly financial obligations encompass fuel, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or financing expenses. In Oil City, the transportation index is 1.4% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Oil City 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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| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $79,570 | $6,631 | $1,857 | $2,387 |
| Renters | $38,961 | $3,247 | $909 | $1,169 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Hannasville, PA | 156 | 99 | 1.2% |
| Franklin borough, PA | 249 | 75 | 24.6% |
| Rouseville, PA | 453 | 81 | 19.2% |
| Titusville, PA | 5,358 | 82 | 18.0% |
| Utica, PA | 118 | 79 | 20.5% |
| Oil City, PA | 10,033 | 82 | 18.3% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Walker Mill, MD | 10,032 | 138 | 37.8% |
| Mayfield, KY | 10,031 | 86 | 14.4% |
| Uniontown, PA | 10,028 | 82 | 18.1% |
| Richmond Heights, FL | 10,026 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Hamburg, NY | 10,025 | 106 | 5.8% |
| Oil City, PA | 10,033 | 82 | 18.3% |
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