Below Average CostVery SafeELMIRA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Median Income
$94,091
household / year
Median Home Value
$186,100
owner-occupied
Median Rent
$1,457
gross / month
Cost of Living
92
national avg = 100
Is West Elmira, NY a Good Place to Live?
West Elmira is a small town of 4,796 in New York, with a median household income of $94,091
and a 4.2% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 92 (US average = 100), which is
8% below the national average.
Strengths:
West Elmira stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B), a well-educated population, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether West Elmira is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All West Elmira city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 92.2
West Elmira's overall cost of living index is 92.2,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in West Elmira costs roughly 8% less than the average American city.
Metric
West Elmira, NY
National Avg
Median Home Value
$186,100
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$1,457
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
90.0%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$94,091
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
West Elmira's violent crime rate is 171.3 per 100,000 residents
— 55% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
171.3 /100k
Property Crime
1295.3 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
West Elmira is served primarily by ELMIRA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1
(better than the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
West Elmira, NY
National Avg
School District
ELMIRA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
—
Elementary Schools
8
—
Middle Schools
1
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
15.2:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
48.7%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
97.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
West Elmira sees average highs of 33.7°F in January
and 83.7°F in July,
with 38.1 inches of annual precipitation
and 41.8 inches of snow per year.
West Elmira's cost of living index is 92, where 100 is the national average.
That makes West Elmira roughly 8% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $186,100 and median rent is $1,457/month.
West Elmira's violent crime rate is 171.3 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 1295.3 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in West Elmira are operated by ELMIRA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
The district has 8 elementary, 1 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 15.2:1. 48.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
West Elmira, NY has a population of 4,796, a median household income of $94,091, and an unemployment rate of 4.2%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
West Elmira averages 33.7°F in January and 83.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.1 inches
with about 41.8 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
West Elmira, NY is covered by 1 ZIP code: 14905.
The population of West Elmira, New York is 4,796 with a median age of 46.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in West Elmira: cost of living index 92 (100 = US average), median home $186,100, median household income $94,091, crime index 52 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare West Elmira side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.