salaryRent is lower than in 64% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 18.7 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $55,640 a year. That is $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other New York cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of New York. It is number 75 of 343 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Elmira?
Share of households by yearly income. 9.4% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Elmira
| Size | Elmira | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $901 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $785 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,109 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,236 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,468 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Elmira overall?
Everyday prices in the Elmira metro area are 6% below the U.S. average (index 94.4, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Elmira
Life in Elmira
What jobs pay in Elmira
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $142,640 | 11.7% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,700 | 12.0% |
| Physician Assistant | $137,550 | 12.1% |
| Lawyer | $126,900 | 13.2% |
| Operations Manager | $94,830 | 17.6% |
| Civil Engineer | $91,370 | 18.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $82,820 | 20.2% |
| Accountant | $79,540 | 21.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $73,210 | 22.8% |
| Police Officer | $65,180 | 25.6% |
| Plumber | $64,680 | 25.8% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $63,390 | 26.3% |
| HVAC Technician | $62,400 | 26.8% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,220 | 27.3% |
| Carpenter | $61,190 | 27.3% |
| Market Research Analyst | $58,410 | 28.6% |
| Truck Driver | $57,080 | 29.2% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $46,160 | 36.2% |
| Medical Assistant | $40,010 | 41.7% |
| Customer Service Representative | $39,230 | 42.5% |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,960 | 44.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $37,280 | 44.8% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,970 | 45.2% |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,140 | 48.9% |
| Cashier | $32,790 | 50.9% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Elmira?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $746 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $93,000 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $9,300 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Elmira, NY?
Renting in Elmira costs a median of about $1,391 a month in 2026, including utilities. The New York median is $2,177.
How much do I need to make to live in Elmira?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $55,640 a year, or $27 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Elmira cheap or expensive?
Elmira is rated Expensive: rent takes 35.9% of the typical household income of $46,505. It ranks 75th cheapest of 343 New York cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Elmira?
The median homeowner in Elmira pays $2,918 a year in property taxes, about 3.14% of the median home value.
Is Elmira more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 6% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Elmira?
The median home value in Elmira is $93,000, about 2.0 times the typical yearly household income.
26,257 people live in Elmira. Numbers are typical (middle) values.