Olean 72 Excellent
Olean Livability #353 ranked city in New York#5,930 ranked city in the USARanks better than 79% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in Olean

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.

  • Housing Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Commute Commute

    A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.

  • Crime Crime

    This area reports elevated crime rates per 100,000 individuals, potentially pointing some areas being unsafe for its residents. Stats are based on both property and violent crimes.

  • Employment Employment

    In the employment category, a low score could be attributed to low income levels and high unemployment in the area, suggesting potential difficulties in finding lucrative employment.

What's it like Living in Olean?

Olean is a medium-sized city located in the state of New York. The city has a population of 14,052 residents. If we look at the most recent Census, Olean is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and Asian. Olean is very likely to be a great place to live for singles as only 49%, of the population (over fifteen) are classified as married. If you prefer shorter commutes, living in Olean will be a delight. With an average one-way commute time of just 16 minutes, traveling to and from work is notably more convenient than the national average, which stands at 26 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Olean, New York could be a positive experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like amenities, crime, cost of living, commute, health & safety, you can easily compare the best places to live in Olean and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Olean to New York and the national average.

The livability score in Olean is 73 out of 100 and the city is ranked in the 83rd percentile of all cities across America. For each of the livability categories, we know that Olean ranks very well for cost of living (A+), education (B-) and housing (A+). There are some categories that Olean scores poorly for, including: amenities (F), crime (D-) and employment (F). It might be worth taking a closer look to figure out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Olean market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Olean real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Olean. Median real estate prices in Olean come in at $137,830, which is 72.6% lower than the New York average. The home price to income ratio compares the median home prices to the median household income. In Olean, the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 60.7% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Olean

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Compare Olean, NY Livability

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      Olean transportation information

      Statistic Olean New York National
      Average one way commute16min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work78.2%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool5.2%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit2.2%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk8.5%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home4.3%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The Olean, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.