Plainfield 65 Good
Plainfield Livability #380 ranked city in New Jersey#12,235 ranked city in the USARanks better than 58% of areas
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Pros and Cons of Living in Plainfield

PROS
  • Commute 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 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 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 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 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 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.

What's it like Living in Plainfield?

Located in the state of New Jersey, Plainfield is a medium-sized city with a population of 51,295 residents. Plainfield has a population density of 8,608 people per square mile. This would be considered well above the national population density level. 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. Single men and women might be happy to hear that in Plainfield, only 41% of the population is married. When traveling to work, spending unnecessary time in your vehicle is not ideal and downright frustrating. Across all of America, the average one way commute time is 26 minutes, unfortunately, living in Plainfield offers up a higher than average one way commute time of 33 minutes.

Without the right tools, moving to any new city can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Plainfield, New Jersey could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the effort to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like crime, cost of living, health & safety, education, employment and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Plainfield and in the areas around Plainfield is a much easier task.

Plainfield, NJ receives 65/100 for its livability score; this results in a ranking of #368 in New Jersey and #11,885 in the USA. Based on the rankings for each individual category, Plainfield has been rewarded with high marks for housing (A-). Plainfield does not rank well for the following: amenities (F), cost of living (F) and education (D-). It might be a smart idea to take a closer look at each category to find out why.

Real estate represents the most substantial investment for homebuyers, constituting their most valuable asset. Renters, on the other hand, typically see their monthly rent as their most significant expense. The Plainfield market earns a high score in the housing category, surpassing the national average in factors like home and rental affordability and appreciation rates. This robust real estate market not only benefits individual homeowners and renters but also spurs vigorous local economic activity and job growth, solidifying its significance in driving the region's prosperity and financial well-being.

Plainfield real estate prices and overall affordability will play a huge role in determining if the area is the right fit for you. Of course there are probably some other items on your “wish list”, but even before they are considered, let’s take a look at the home prices and affordability in Plainfield. The median home price for Plainfield homes is $491,914, which is 11.4% 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 5.7, which is 11.8% 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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      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) and include 2026 modeled data developed using proprietary methodologies.