Nice to see Ithaca's COL is in line with Upstate cities:
Ithaca's cost of living rated third-lowest in NY
6:48 PM, Feb 19, 2014
Written by
| Staff report
@ithacajournal
Ithaca has been ranked as the third-lowest cost urban area in New York state by the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness, the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday.
Ithaca’s index of 103.2 was behind only Buffalo, at 99.5 and Rochester, 102. The Cost of Living Index measures differences in the cost of consumer goods and services such as grocery bills, housing, utility, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. Ithaca’s slightly above-average housing and energy costs pushed its index above the 100 norm, according to the chamber.
The index is based on more than 50,000 prices covering 60 different items for which prices are collected three times per year by chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and university applied economic centers in each participating area. The chamber and Tompkins County Area Development have contributed information to the survey since 2006.
Chamber President Jean McPheeters said Ithaca’s housing costs have decreased in comparison to some other communities while food costs are comparable to many areas of the country.
Here's the link:
http://www.ithacajournal.com/article...hird-lowest-NY