Living in Elmira, New York
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Elmira · Census data 2020–2024
Elmira has 26,257 residents with a median age of 36.5. The median household income is $43,120 (50% lower than the New York median), the median home value is $93,000, the median rent is $909/month.
Elmira at a glance
- Population
- 26,257
- Median age
- 36.5State: 39.8
- Median household income
- $43,120State: $85,974
- Median home value
- $93,000State: $423,800
- Median rent
- $909/moState: $1,621
- Homeowners
- 50.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18.1%
- Average commute
- 19 min
Is Elmira a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 78% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes.
Cons: Median household income 50% lower than the New York median; unemployment of 9.9%; a poverty rate of 30.2%.
The weather is best in May–June and August–September.
Cost of living in Elmira
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Elmira the median home value is $93,000, 72% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $909 per month, which is 35.4% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,124 a month in housing costs.
Elmira median household income
The median household income in Elmira is $43,120 and the income per person is $23,686. 30.2% of residents live below the poverty line (New York: 14%).
Housing in Elmira: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 12,676
- Owner-occupied
- 50.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.9%
- Vacant
- 16.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1938
- Average household size
- 2.23
Elmira demographics
- Population
- 26,257
- Median age
- 36.5
- Under 18
- 22.6%
- 65 and older
- 15.7%
- Households
- 10,532
- Foreign-born
- 3.7%
- Veterans
- 6.1%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Elmira ›
Education in Elmira
18.1% of adults 25 and older in Elmira have a bachelor's degree or higher (New York: 40.2%), and 8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Elmira
- Unemployment rate
- 9.9%State: 6.4%
- Average commute
- 19 minState: 33 min
- Work from home
- 10.3%
- Drive alone
- 66.5%
- Public transit
- 3.8%
- Walk to work
- 5.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 86.6%
Elmira vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elmira | 26,257 | $43,120 | $93,000 | $909 |
| West Elmira | 4,750 | $111,417 | $198,300 | $1,221 |
| Southport | 6,450 | $62,684 | $107,900 | $1,136 |
| Elmira Heights | 4,110 | $58,125 | $104,800 | $851 |
| Horseheads | 6,449 | $61,223 | $141,400 | $1,181 |
| Wellsburg | 448 | $63,750 | $97,900 | $758 |
| Big Flats | 5,651 | $89,286 | $224,400 | $1,381 |
| Horseheads North | 2,676 | $90,481 | $210,600 | $1,323 |
| Breesport | 628 | $85,294 | $162,200 | — |
More for people moving to Elmira
Elmira ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Elmira: FAQ
What is the median household income in Elmira, NY?
The median household income in Elmira is $43,120, 50% lower than the New York median of $85,974 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Elmira?
The median home value in Elmira is $93,000, compared with $423,800 in New York.
How much is rent in Elmira?
The median gross rent in Elmira is $909 per month, about 35.4% of household income.
Is Elmira, NY a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 78% lower than the state median; an average commute of 19 minutes. Minuses: median household income 50% lower than the New York median; unemployment of 9.9%; a poverty rate of 30.2%.
What is the median age in Elmira?
The median age in Elmira is 36.5 years (New York: 39.8).
How long is the commute in Elmira?
The average commute to work in Elmira is 19 minutes; 10.3% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Elmira?
The unemployment rate in Elmira is 9.9% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Elmira?
18.1% of adults in Elmira have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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