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MD: Know Elmira, NY in detail. Our ultimate Elmira moving guide covers everything such as living cost, attractions, housing, taxes, schools, and safety.

Your reason for moving to a new city may be many. It may range from quality of living to jobs to climate. And when some say that Elmira, New York, there can be plenty of factors contributing to it. 

Highly safer, easily affordable, and breathtakingly splendid – Elmira in the southern tier of New York State is a charming city nestled in Chemung County.

Amazingly packed in serene landscapes, this hidden gem in New York State promises a fabulous living, whether you are moving in with the family or alone. 

f you are someone who seriously shortlisted Elmira as one of the next moving destinations and is still searching for the latest updates about the city for the final call, our Elmira, NY moving guide is for you. Prepared by our experts, our Elmira moving guide is more like an encyclopedia of the city with all required information related to the city including cost of living, transport, education, crime rate, taxes, jobs, and recreation. 

Come on to delve deeper into the city stats.

QuickFacts

Quick facts to know before moving to Elmira

  • Elmira was incorporated in the year 1864 within the township of Chemung.
  • It is currently the biggest city in Chemung County.
  • Both Mark Twain and Tommy Hilfiger are natives of Elmira.
  • The city is a manufacturing and transport hub of the state.
  • Elmira College started out in 1855 as an all-female college that was the first college in the country to offer a degree program equal to that of men.
  • Nestled among scenic settings, Elmira is one of the prettiest cities in the state.
  • The city with a low cost of living and low crime rate is one of the best places to raise a family.

Top 10 things to know before moving to Elmira

  • The city is highly affordable.
  • The economy is both booming and diverse.
  • The poverty rate is much higher than the national average.
  • There are plenty of jobs here.
  • Elmira is a manufacturing hub of New York State.
  • There are plenty of open spaces and parks.
  • The city is less crowded.
  • It is easy to start a business in Elmira.
  • The average commute time is much lower than the US average.
  • The weather is another plus factor for Elmira.

Is Elmira a good place to live?

Elmira boasts amazing green open places along with a diverse and strong economy. In addition, most residents here own a home and this makes living more fabulous. Elmira also has a low cost of living and there are many quality education institutions.

Is Elmira expensive?

Elmira is one of the cheapest cities in New York State with affordable housing facilities, transport, healthcare, and other utilities. The cost of living is 22.2 percent lower than the U.S. average and 36.0 percent lower than the average for New York.

What's the population of Elmira, NY?

Elmira is a small city with just 26,736 residents and the density is 3,729 people per square mile. The city has about 12,440 households and the person per household is 2.3. The city is racially diverse. About 23.1% of the population lives below the poverty line, including 32.6% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

To know the population better, here are a few stats.

  • Elmira’s total population is 26,736.
  • The population is made up of 49.9% males and 50.1% females.
  • The median age in Elmira is 35.8.
  • The city population is made up of 74.3% White, 14.4% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.1 Native American, and 5.3% from two or more races.
  • About 5.2% of the population is of Hispanic ethnicity.
  • The median household size in Elmira is 2.6 persons.
  • About 37.2% of the residents are married couples living together.

Elmira is smaller in size, and the population is also one of the lowest in the state. That means the streets are less crowded, and you can easily drive here without spending much time behind the wheel, leading to less commuting time. The average one-way commute time in Elmira is 18.5 minutes, much lower than the US average of 26.4 minutes.

If you are keen to know how the city residents reach the office regularly, here are the latest stats:

  • About 69.9% drive their car alone
  • About 12.8% carpool with others
  • About 2.6% work from home
  • Approximately 5.8% take mass transit

What is the weather like in Elmira, NY?

The city has a humid continental climate with warm to hot summers and cold winters. During the summer months, temperatures can reach into the upper 80s and 90s with high humidity. Winters are cold with snowfall common throughout the season. The city also receives an average of 36 inches of precipitation annually. January is the snowiest month while July is the hottest in Elmira.

We’ve got a few additional facts about the Elmira climate:

  • The city receives about 35 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.
  • Elmira averages 40 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.
  • On average, the city gets about 164 sunny days per year against the US average of 205 sunny days.
  • The city receives some kind of precipitation, on average, 135 days per year in the form of rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
move to Elmira

Top reasons to move to Elmira, NY

Elmira is amazingly beautiful, boasting a good lifestyle, standard education, and unlimited fun, all playing major roles in inviting people from different parts of the US. And we’ve collated a few positives of the city:

  • Plenty of jobs
  • Growing racial diversity
  • Booming economy
  • Good school education
pros and cons of Elmira

Pros & Cons of Living in Elmira, AZ

Similar to living in any other city, living in Elmira has some upsides and downsides. Understanding both can help you make the right decision about moving to Elmira or not

Here are the pros and cons of living in Elmira, AZ:

The pros
  • A lot of green areas
  • High-standard school education
  • Racial diversity
  • Low cost of living
  • Low crime
  • Low property price
  • Low hurricane risk
The cons
  • High poverty rate
  • High property tax
  • High cancer mortality rate

10 Best Neighborhoods in Elmira, NY

While relocating to Elmira, you’ll be curious to know the best neighborhoods there as you have a family. Fortunately, despite its smaller size, Elmira has many good neighborhoods inside its city boundaries and nearby areas. To help you, we’ve prepared a list of the 10 best neighborhoods in Elmira and nearby areas.  

Neighborhoods Place Population Median Home Value Median Income
Big Flats 5,523 $236,900 $1,434
Horseheads 6,388 $156,700 $1,069
Millport 442 $96,200 $984
Pine Valley 493 $160,800 $1,200
Elmira Heights 4,206 $108,500 $975
Van Ettan 625 $140,900 $1,200
Breesport 873 $168,900 $1,164
West Elmira 4,745 $183,100 $1,399
Erin 441 $134,700 $975
Wellsburg 386 $112,400 $1,164

Cost of Living in Elmira

One of the major pluses of relocating to Elmira is the cost of living. The city is highly affordable, and everything, including healthcare, transportation, education, utilities, and housing, is 22.8% lower than the US average. We've got a break-up of the costs of basic things in Elmira which may give you a general idea:

Living Expense Elmira New York National Average
Overall 77.8 121.5 100
Grocery 95.2 103.8 100
Health 117 120.7 100
Housing 46.1 127.9 100
Median Home Cost $95,700 $413,600 $338,100
Utilities 101.2 115.9 100
Transportation 77.7 140.7 100
Miscellaneous 110.7 121.8 100

How is the Job Market in Elmira, NY?

If you are packing the bags to Elmira for a job, you’ll be happy to know that the city’s economy is booming and produces a lot of job opportunities. Glass manufacturing is a major business here, and some of the prominent manufacturers are headquartered here. We know that you want to know more. To help you, we’ve collated a few job-related facts, which may benefit you.

  • The job growth in Elmira has been negative.
  • The future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 9.3%,
  • The unemployment rate here is 9.6%
  • Jobs have decreased by 1.1% over the past year.
  • The average salary in Elmira is $48,675.
  • The median home cost in Elmira is $95,700.

Employment Information

Indicator Elmira United States
The income per Cap $20,929 $37,638
Household Income $41,675 $69,021
Unemployment Rate 9.6 6
Recent Job Growth -3.92% -6.18%
Future Job Growth 9.28% 33.51%

Fastest Growing Jobs in Elmira, NY

For those moving to Elmira, understanding the fastest-growing jobs provides insights into the flourishing businesses in the area. Here are the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in Elmira and nearby areas:

Rank Job title % Growth Average salary
1 Statistician 177.4% $28,400
2 Home health aid 147.6% $23,130

Top Career Options in Elmira, NY

Having an idea about the best-paid jobs in Elmira is essential for those planning to move. Here are the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Elmira and nearby areas:

Rank Job title Average salary Entry level salary
1 Family medicine physicians $165,900 $48,970
2 Sales managers $134,240 $62,940

Major Industries in Elmira

For those landing in Elmira, knowing the major industries provides insight into the local business landscape. Here are some of the major industries in Elmira:

  • Glass manufacturing
  • Transport
  • Healthcare

Best Companies to Work for in Elmira, NY

Choosing a company with employee-friendly policies is crucial. Here are the top 10 companies in Elmira that rank high in employee satisfaction:

  • Arnot Health
  • Hardinge
  • Elmira College
  • Chemung Arc
  • F M Howell & Company
  • Swift Glass
  • Elmira City School District
  • St Peters and Paul’s Church
  • Glove House
  • Elmira Savings Bank

Average Salary & Income in Elmira, NY

As you approach the final stages of your move, having an idea about average salaries is important for a comfortable life. Here are some informative points related to the average salary and income in Elmira:

  • Elmira’s average annual pay for average jobs is $48,675 a year.
  • Elmira’s average hourly pay for average jobs is $23 an hour.
  • Elmira’s average weekly pay for average jobs is $696 per week.
  • Elmira’s average monthly pay for average jobs is $4,000 per month.
  • Elmira’s top earners (90th percentile) make $97,000 annually.

How is the Housing Market in Elmira, NY?

Median Home Prices in Elmira, NY

As you’ve determined to relocate to Elmira, you’ll be curious to know the housing cost here. Having an idea about the housing cost will help you know whether owning a home is easier here or not. Elmira is much cheaper when it comes to home costs. You can own a house here for a comfortable $95,700 against the average US cost of $338,100. While about 48.1% of the city residents stay in rented homes, 4.2% of homes here are available for rent.

We’ve got a few housing facts that will help you:

  • Elmira’s median home cost is $95,700.
  • The median age of Elmira real estate is 78 years old.
  • The city’s home appreciation in the last 10 years has been 29.7%.
  • Renters make up 48.1% of the Elmira population.
  • About 4.2% of houses and apartments in Elmira are available to rent.

Average Rental Prices in Elmira, NY

Once you’re in Elmira, your initial days will be in rented homes. And that means home rentals play a major role in your life. As you love to know the details of home rentals, we thought of giving them.

  • Elmira’s average rent for a studio apartment is $740
  • Elmira’s average rent for a 1-bedroom home or apartment is $820
  • Elmira’s average rent for a 2-bedroom home or apartment is $950
  • Elmira’s average rent for a 3-bedroom home or apartment is $1,210
  • Elmira’s average rent for a 4-bedroom home or apartment is $1,350

Taxes in Elmira, NY

The final income is calculated by deducting the different taxes levied on the salary on paper, and it is vital to have an idea about the taxes levied in Elmira to understand whether you’ll get a salary as per the expectations. Here are a few tax-related facts existing in Elmira, NY:

  • The Sales Tax Rate for Elmira is 8.0%. The US average is 7.3%.
  • The income tax in Elmira is 6.5%, which is the same as the US average of 4.6%.
  • The average property tax rate in Elmira is 1.62%.

Top Things to Do in Elmira, NY

 

Elmira has no shortage of fun activities, and moving here is a great way to experience them. To help everyone who will move here sooner, we’ve prepared a list of the top 10 things you can get hooked up here.

  • Take a stroll at Eldridge Park
  • Visit Harris Hill Soaring Corporation
  • Pay homage at Woodlawn Cemetery of Elmira, New York
  • Spend a day shopping at the National Soaring Museum
  • Visit Mark Twain's Summer Home
  • Appreciate art at Arnot Art Museum
  • Learn history at Newtown Battlefield State Mark
  • Take a walk at Woodlawn National Cemetery
  • Watch a show at Clemens Center
  • Explore First Arena

Safety in Elmira, NY

If you are moving to a new family with the family, the safety of your dear one will be a concern, and the crime rate plays a major role in your final call on relocation. When the new destination is Elmira, you are lucky as the crime rate is much lower here than the US average. About 50% of the residents feel absolutely safe here, and the city, as per the recent records, is safer than about 8% of US cities.

  • Elmira’s violent crime is 16.6 while the US average is 22.7.
  • Elmira’s property crime is 48.5 while the US average is 35.4.
  • Your chance of being a violent crime victim is 1 in 365 in Elmira.
  • Your chance of being a property crime victim is 1 in 33 in Elmira.
  • About 50% of the population feels safe in Elmira.
  • Elmira is safer than 8% of US cities.

What are the top schools in Elmira, NY?

When you are moving to Elmira with the family, your major concern would be the education of your children. And fortunately, the city has good schools and colleges. To help you, we’ve collated some of the best top-ranked schools and colleges here. 

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