Cost Of Living
The cost of living in this region is notably lower than the national average, encompassing everyday goods, housing, utilities, transportation and health care expenses.
Housing
High scores in the housing category are attributed to this area, possibly pointing to a favorable home affordability ratio, robust appreciation rates or elevated home values.
Health & Safety
Achieving a high health and safety score relies on factors including great air quality and convenient access to vital health facilities such as hospitals, doctors, clinics and police stations.
Amenities
A large portion of amenities are not ideally situated within walking distance, potentially requiring residents to utilize a vehicle or public transportation.
Commute
Access to public transportation in this particular area may be limited, which can result in longer-than-average commute times to reach workplaces.
Crime
This area exhibits elevated crime rates per 100,000 residents, which may suggest it's a potentially unsafe place to reside. These rates encompass both property and violent crimes.
Employment
Low income levels and high unemployment rates results in a low score in the employment category. It could prove difficult to find well-paying employment in this area.
Schools
The lower than average schools score may be influenced by below-average education levels, subpar reading and math scores and the lack of access to local elementary and high schools.
Located in the state of New York, Elmira is a medium-sized city with a population of 27,860 residents. Elmira has a population density of 3,842 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. If we look at the most recent Census, Elmira is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Black and American Indian and Alaskan. Elmira is not known to have a high population (over 15 years old) of married people. At only 41% married, this city falls well below the national average. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Elmira offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 18 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re moving to a new city to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Elmira could be a positive experience compared to other cities in New York if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like cost of living, education, housing, you can easily compare the best places to live in Elmira and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Elmira to New York and the national average.
With a livability score of 63 out of 100, Elmira is ranked #14,848 in the United States and #756 in New York. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Elmira has been rewarded with high marks for cost of living (A+) and housing (A+). There is at least one category that did not score well in Elmira. The following was graded with a concerning score: amenities (F), crime (F), education (F) and employment (F).
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 Elmira 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.
Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Elmira is real estate affordability. The median home price for Elmira homes is $133,490, which is 73.5% lower than the New York average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Elmira, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.5, which is 55.4% lower than the New York average.
| Statistic | Elmira | New York | National |
| Average one way commute | 18min | 33min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 71.4% | 53.0% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 8.5% | 6.7% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 3.7% | 28.0% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 1.2% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 7.9% | 6.3% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 4.6% | 4.0% | 4.6% |
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