Jamestown, NY vs Lancaster, NY

Jamestown is moderately more affordable than Lancaster, with a 11.3% lower cost of living index. Jamestown scores 66 compared to 74 for Lancaster, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Lancaster can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Jamestown is $755/month compared to $839/month in Lancaster — a 10% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Jamestown is more affordable at $79,100 median vs $186,300.

Median household income in Jamestown is $44,878 compared to $63,902 in Lancaster (-29.8%). While Lancaster is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Jamestown spend roughly 20.2% of their income on rent, more than the 15.8% in Lancaster.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (48.8°F vs 48.8°F). Lancaster receives more rainfall at 40.7" per year compared to 33" in Jamestown.