Athens, PA vs Oil City, PA

Oil City is moderately more affordable than Athens, with a 14.7% lower cost of living index. Athens scores 72 compared to 63 for Oil City, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Athens can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Athens is $834/month compared to $799/month in Oil City — a 4% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Oil City is more affordable at $66,600 median vs $166,800.

Median household income in Athens is $49,588 compared to $52,688 in Oil City (-5.9%). Oil City offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Athens spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 18.2% in Oil City.