Plainfield 65 Good
Plainfield Livability #368 ranked city in New Jersey#11,885 ranked city in the USARanks better than 59% of areas

Pros and Cons of Living in Plainfield

PROS
  • Commute

    An elevated score in the commute category points to excellent public transit accessibility and shorter-than-average work commute times in this area.

  • Housing

    High scores in the housing category are a distinguishing feature of this area, possibly driven by a favorable home affordability ratio, higher home values and appreciation rates.

CONS
  • Amenities

    The majority of amenities are not ideally located within walking distance. To access these amenities, residents may be required to rely on a vehicle or public transit.

  • Cost Of Living

    Living in this region comes with a high cost of living, translating to elevated costs for homes, goods and services, groceries, utilities, health care and transportation.

  • Health & Safety

    The low score in this category could be due to challenges related to air quality and the limited accessibility of health-related facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, doctors and pharmacies.

  • Schools

    The low schools score could result from issues like below-average graduation rates, inadequate reading and math scores, and the unavailability of local elementary and high schools.

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What's it like Living in Plainfield?

Located in the state of New Jersey, Plainfield is a medium-sized city with a population of 50,252 people. In Plainfield, there are 8,433 people per square mile, which is well above the national population density average. More than a quarter of the residents of Plainfield identify themselves as Hispanic or Latino, and 46% of the population speak Spanish as their primary or secondary language. All the single ladies and all the single fellas might want to take notice as only 41% of the Plainfield population is married. Long, unnecessary commutes can be both frustrating and inconvenient when heading to work. Nationwide, the average one-way commute time takes 26 minutes, but regrettably, residing in Plainfield entails a longer-than-average one-way commute time, averaging 33 minutes.

Are you trying to decide if living in Plainfield is the right fit for your lifestyle? To ensure a fulfilling experience before relocating to any new city in New Jersey, you will probably want to make sure that you check all of the most important boxes. Several key factors deserve attention. For one, safety is paramount, ensuring that your new area is low in crime is key. Proximity to workplaces or schools minimizes commute times and fosters convenience. Access to essential amenities like parks, grocery stores, food, fitness, shops and healthcare facilities enhances daily life. Efficient public transportation options provide mobility and connectivity. The sense of community creates a welcoming and supportive environment. Lastly, the overall atmosphere, encompassing the vibe, aesthetics, and lifestyle offerings, contributes to a fulfilling living experience. Considering these elements helps identify the ideal neighborhood for your needs and preferences. Using the livability score which includes data from categories like crime, commute, health & safety, employment, you can easily compare the best places to live in Plainfield and also determine if there are any nearby cities that might be a better match for your lifestyle. You can also compare Plainfield to New Jersey and the national average.

Plainfield has a livability score of 64/100 and is ranked #370 in New Jersey and #11,786 in the USA. If we explore each of the categories on their own, we see that Plainfield ranks well for housing (B-). On a more negative note, Plainfield does not have favorable scores for the following: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.

A robust real estate market serves as a crucial economic indicator, reflecting the local area's strength, stability and the confidence of its residents. Plainfield excels in the housing sector, scoring high marks based on factors such as median home and rental prices, appreciation rates and home affordability. These calculations suggest that the apartment rental and real estate market in the region is exceptionally healthy, highlighting the area's economic vitality and attractiveness to potential homebuyers and renters.

Certain items on your wish list like shopping, restaurants, nightlife, parks and proximity to public transportation are all important things to look for. Having said that, perhaps the most important metric to consider when contemplating a move to Plainfield is real estate affordability. The median home price for Plainfield homes is $268,000, which is 15.3% lower than the New Jersey average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Plainfield, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 4.6, which is 7% higher than the New Jersey average.

Best Places to Live in and Around Plainfield

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How Do You Rate The Livability In Plainfield?

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Compare Plainfield, NJ Livability

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      Plainfield transportation information

      Statistic Plainfield New Jersey National
      Average one way commute33min31min26min
      Workers who drive to work65.9%71.7%76.4%
      Workers who carpool10.3%8.1%9.3%
      Workers who take public transit8.0%11.2%5.1%
      Workers who bicycle0.3%0.3%0.6%
      Workers who walk3.7%3.0%2.8%
      Working from home3.1%4.1%4.6%
      Source: The Plainfield, NJ data and statistics displayed above are derived from the United States Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).