West Elmira 72 Excellent
West Elmira Livability #341 ranked city in New York#5,769 ranked city in the USARanks better than 80% of areas
Is This the Right Place for You? Local Insights Report
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Local Insights Report

Pros and Cons of Living in West Elmira

PROS
  • Cost Of Living Cost Of Living

    Everyday cost of living expenses like goods and services, housing, groceries, transportation, health care and utilities are far below the national average.

  • Employment Employment

    With higher than average median household income, income per capita and lower unemployment rates, this area scores extremely well in the employment category.

  • Housing Housing

    Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.

  • Health & Safety Health & Safety

    Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.

  • Ratings Ratings

    According to recent surveys and polls, locals had excellent ratings for walkability to nearby amenities, safety, access to public transit and the overall sense of community in the area.

CONS
  • Amenities Amenities

    The majority of amenities will be difficult to reach within a short walk, often requiring residents to use a vehicle or public transportation for access.

  • Commute Commute

    Low commute scores could be due to limited access to public transit in this area, as well as longer-than-average work commute times for residents.

What's it like Living in West Elmira?

West Elmira is a small city located in the state of New York. The city has a population of 4,911 inhabitants. If we look at the most recent Census, West Elmira is known to have a predominantly White population. The next two most common races are Asian and Black. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? West Elmira offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.

If you’re considering moving to any new city, it could be a very daunting task. However, it could also be a positive experience if you are willing to get to know the city before actually living in West Elmira, New York. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is of utmost importance, ensuring a secure environment with low crime. Proximity to your workplace or school helps reduce commuting time and offers convenience. Access to amenities such as parks, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities enhances your daily life. Public transportation options contribute to easy mobility. A sense of community fosters a supportive and engaging environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere should align with your desired lifestyle, ensuring a fulfilling living experience. Considering these items will guide you towards finding the perfect neighborhood that fits all your needs. Finding the best places to live in West Elmira and nearby areas is a much easier task when you can rely on information and data from the livability score, which includes crime, cost of living, employment, housing and other important metrics.

West Elmira, NY receives 72/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #336 in New York and #5,741 in the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, West Elmira has received high marks for cost of living (A-), employment (A-) and housing (A+). West Elmira does not score well for the following: amenities (F). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

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 West 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.

There are many factors that go into deciding if an area is the right fit for your lifestyle. Certain “must haves” like low crime, great schools and nearby amenities are all at the top of most people's lists. But before even considering if those options are attainable, we'll need to know if the real estate in West Elmira is actually affordable. The median home price for West Elmira homes is $269,111, which is 46.6% lower than the New York average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in West Elmira, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.4, which is 57.1% lower than the New York average.

Best Places to Live in and Around West Elmira

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Compare West Elmira, NY Livability

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      West Elmira transportation information

      Statistic West Elmira New York National
      Average one way commute20min33min26min
      Workers who drive to work86.9%53.0%76.4%
      Workers who carpool4.4%6.7%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit0.0%28.0%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.4%0.7%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.7%6.3%2.8%
      Working from home4.1%4.0%4.6%
      Source: The West Elmira, NY data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.