Chatham, NY vs West Elmira, NY

Chatham, NY and West Elmira, NY have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1% difference in their overall index. Chatham scores 93 while West Elmira scores 92 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Chatham is $1,034/month compared to $1,435/month in West Elmira — a 28% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Chatham has cheaper rent, West Elmira actually has lower median home values ($192,900 vs $306,300).

Median household income in Chatham is $86,625 compared to $107,359 in West Elmira (-19.3%). West Elmira offers a double advantage: higher earnings combined with a lower cost of living, giving residents significantly more purchasing power. Looking at affordability, residents of Chatham spend roughly 14.3% of their income on rent, less than the 16% in West Elmira.