A+
19%
Overall NAT. AVG.
6%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
51%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Olean New York National
Cost of living81117100
Goods & Services94108100
Groceries97102100
Health care101103100
Housing49145100
Transportation95105100
Utilities94100100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Olean, NY

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Olean is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Olean is 81, which is 19% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

It's not uncommon for housing expenses to eat up a substantial portion of your income, oten exceeding 30%. The good news is that Olean stands out by reporting housing costs that are 50.7% lower than the national average. This signifies that both homeownership and rental expenses in this region are considerably more affordable compared to the rest of the country. This favorable housing situation allows residents to allocate a more manageable portion of their income to housing, resulting in greater financial flexibility.

Is Olean Affordable?

Is Olean affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Olean, for instance, where the median home price falls 58.5% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 32.6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Olean flaunting a median household income of $41,500, 25% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Olean?

Housing: When everyone's vying for homes in popular areas, it drives up property prices and rents, making the overall cost of living surge. On the flip side, in less sought-after locales, where housing demand is low, prices tend to dip, resulting in a more economical cost of living. In Olean, the housing index comes in at 50.7% lower than the national average.

Taxes: Cities that impose higher taxes, including sales and income taxes, can contribute to an escalated cost of living. The added expense of taxes on everyday goods like clothing and food naturally results in higher overall costs. Similarly, a higher income tax rate can further elevate the cost of living. In Olean, the general sales tax rate starts at 4%, and income tax rates begin at 4%.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenses and insurance premiums can vary significantly depending on the specific city or state. Factors such as accessibility to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's visits, dental care expenses, prescription costs and specialized medical care fees can all influence the overall cost of living. In Olean, healthcare costs are 0.9% higher than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living in Olean, presented above is derived from the C2ER cost of living index, offering a practical method for assessing living cost disparities in urban areas. Published quarterly, this index compiles data from more than 300 independent researchers, encompassing over 60 goods and services in 6 categories. The weightings assigned to cost variances are informed by government survey data tracking the expenditure patterns of professional and executive households. It should be noted that the C2ER index does not include data on sales or income tax rates, however, AreaVibes incorporates tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each area.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Olean is 31% lower than the New York average
  • The cost of living in Olean is 19% lower than the national average
  • Olean housing is 51% lower than the national average
  • New York general sales tax is 22% lower than the national average
  • New York state income tax is 77% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Olean

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Compare Olean, NY Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

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      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$68,768$5,731$1,604$2,063
      Renters$25,528$2,127$596$766
      To approximate the cost of living and the housing affordability in Olean, NY, we can look at the percentage of income that is available to be spent on monthly housing, otherwise known as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). To stay on the safe side, a consumer should not spend more than 28% of his or her gross income on housing-related expenses and costs and not more than 36% of income on all expenses and debts. Homeowners in Olean have a median income of $68,768. Therefore, the amount that a consumer should spend on housing costs should be no more than $1,604 per month to avoid calamity and poverty. The renters in the city have an income of about $25,528, which would make their monthly maximum allowable rental costs $596.

      New York Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      New York 4% 8.875%

      New York Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      New York 4% 10.9%

      Goods & Services

      Item Olean National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.65$24.2610.8%
      Beauty Salon $53.07$45.5616.5%
      Toothpaste $3.61$3.702.5%
      Shampoo $1.30$1.281.8%
      Movie $12.76$12.135.2%
      Bowling $14.60$18.0018.9%

      Groceries

      Item Olean National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.16$5.845.5%
      Fried Chicken $1.39$1.5711.4%
      Milk $4.67$4.670.0%
      Potatoes $5.26$4.936.5%
      Pizza $10.99$12.099.1%
      Beer $10.47$10.410.6%

      Health Care

      Item Olean National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $75.93$125.6839.6%
      Doctor $103.92$135.7823.5%
      Dentist $149.67$113.2932.1%
      Ibuprofen $10.42$10.652.2%
      Lipitor $464.18$468.600.9%

      Housing

      Item Olean National avg. Difference
      Home Price $76,700.00$184,700.0058.5%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $2,421.64$2,346.693.2%
      Apartment Rent $640.00$949.0032.6%

      Transportation

      Item Olean National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.46$3.460.1%
      Tire Balancing $48.79$59.9218.6%

      Utilities

      Item Olean National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $173.44$193.9910.6%
      Phone $195.54$192.251.7%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Rew, PA1387425.5%
      Limestone, NY4587821.6%
      Bolivar, NY9397920.7%
      Shinglehouse, PA1,0598020.1%
      Bradford, PA8,2848019.8%
      Olean, NY13,5808118.7%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Jasper, AL13,584937.1%
      Roselle Park, NJ13,57412020.4%
      South Glengarry, ON13,573n/a 
      Iona, FL13,58811211.6%
      Oatfield, OR13,58813030.4%
      Olean, NY13,5808118.7%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.