Cost of Living in Oil City, PA
Population 9,517 · Pennsylvania · Data vintage 2023
(100 = US avg)
Under 25,000 residents gives Oil City a small-town character that shows up in every data point below — from the commute patterns to the rental inventory. A typical home runs $67,000. Unemployment has stayed elevated relative to the national figure — 6.7% as of the most recent ACS release — which shows up in household-income and poverty figures as well.
Geographically, Oil City is about 70 miles north of Pittsburgh, the nearest large metro. Median home values run roughly 66% lower than Pittsburgh's $193,000.
Cost Overview
Scale: 100 = US national average. Green < 90, Red > 110.
About the Cost of Living in Oil City
The median home value in Oil City is $66,600 — 78% below the national median of $305,000. Median rent runs $799/month, 39% lower than the national median of $1,314/month. The median household income of $52,688/year is 29% lower than the US median of $74,580. The local unemployment rate is 6.7%, above the national average of 4.8%. Pennsylvania's top state income tax rate is 3.1% and the combined sales tax is 6.3%. The climate averages highs of 57.3°F and lows of 39.9°F. Overall, Oil City has a cost of living index of 37 versus the US average of 100, meaning it is 63% less expensive.
Oil City has limited residential data
Detailed housing and income data is limited for this location. Here are the nearest cities with full cost of living data:
🏠 Housing
HUD Fair Market Rents by Bedroom
💰 Estimated Monthly Budget
Estimates based on median data and national averages. Actual costs vary.
🛒 Food & Groceries
National BLS average prices (2023). Local prices may vary.
🚗 Transportation
Commute Mode
⚡ Utilities
📋 Taxes
💼 Income & Employment
🎓 Education
👥 Demographics
🌤 Climate
NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 33 | 35 | 44 | 58 | 69 | 76 | 80 | 78 | 72 | 60 | 48 | 37 |
| Low °F | 18 | 19 | 27 | 37 | 48 | 56 | 61 | 59 | 53 | 42 | 33 | 25 |
| Precip" | 2.52 | 1.96 | 2.90 | 3.81 | 3.73 | 4.39 | 4.91 | 3.73 | 4.16 | 3.74 | 2.98 | 2.59 |
🏫 Schools
NCES CCD 2019 — public school district data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living in Oil City, PA?
Oil City has a cost index of 37 (100 = national average). It is 63% below the national average.
What is average rent in Oil City, PA?
The median gross rent in Oil City is $799 per month based on 2023 Census data.
What is the average home price in Oil City?
The median home value in Oil City is $66,600 according to Zillow and Census data.
What is the median income in Oil City?
The median household income in Oil City is $52,688 per year (2023 ACS 5-year estimates).
What is the sales tax in Oil City, PA?
The combined state and local sales tax rate in Oil City is 6.3%. The Pennsylvania state income tax top rate is 3.1%.
Is Oil City, PA affordable?
Yes, Oil City is generally considered affordable, with a cost of living index of 37 — about 63% below the US national average of 100.
What is the weather like in Oil City?
Oil City has average high temperatures of 57.3°F and average lows of 39.9°F. Annual precipitation is 41.4". Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
Oil City at a Glance
- Population
- 9,517
- Median Income
- $52,688
- Home Value
- $66,600
- Median Rent
- $799/mo
- Unemployment
- 6.7%
- Avg High Temp
- 57.3°F
- Sales Tax
- 6.3%
Nearby Cities
Explore county-level cost of living data