Cost of Living in Elmira, NY
Elmira, NY — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in Elmira, NY to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
Prices in Elmira, NY vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 94.4 | −5.6% |
| Housing | 76.4 | −23.6% |
| Goods | 99.7 | −0.3% |
| Utilities | 131.6 | +31.6% |
| Other services | 97.8 | −2.2% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in Elmira, NY
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $949 | $37,960/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $978 | $39,120/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,283 | $51,320/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,606 | $64,240/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,713 | $68,520/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Take-home pay in Elmira, NY
- Federal income tax$3,562
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,967
- Medicare (1.45%)$694
- New York income tax$1,987
- Take-home pay$38,641
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Highest-paying jobs in Elmira, NY
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is Elmira, NY expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the Elmira, NY metro area are 94.4% of the U.S. average, with housing at 76.4%. It is the #178 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in Elmira, NY?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $56,639 in Elmira, NY (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $47,850.
How much is rent in Elmira, NY?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for Elmira, NY are $949 for a studio, $978 for one bedroom, $1,283 for two bedrooms and $1,606 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
All salaries in Elmira, NY
Management Occupations
- General and Operations Manager — $94,830
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $61,220
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,250
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Registered Nurse — $82,820
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Nursing Assistant — $37,960
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $36,900
Protective Service Occupations
- Correctional Officer and Jailer — $76,820
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- Waiter and Waitress — $46,160
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $32,950
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
Sales and Related Occupations
- Retail Salesperson — $34,140
- Cashier — $32,790
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $44,450
- Office Clerks, General — $40,930
- Customer Service Representative — $39,230
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,560
Production Occupations
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $44,050
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- Stocker and Order Filler — $37,520