Cost Of Living
Taking into account the cost of goods and services like housing, groceries, transportation and utilities, the overall cost of living in this area is well below average.
Crime
Crime per 100,000 people is significantly lower than the national average, making it a safe place to live. These crime statistics include both violent and property crimes.
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.
Health & Safety
Good air quality as well as nearby health facilities like hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, fire and police stations all contribute to a higher than average health and safety score.
Commute
A low commute score could be due to longer-than-average work commutes and the limited availability of public transportation in this area.
Plains, Pennsylvania is a small-sized city with a population of 4,108 people. With a population density of 3,213 people per square mile, Plains is well above the nation's average density level. The majority of Plains residents report their race to be White; this is followed by Black and Asian. With an average age of 49 years, Plains residents appear to be older compared to the national average. For seniors and retirees, this city presents itself as a compelling choice. If you are not a fan of long commutes, you will enjoy living in Plains. With an average one way commute time of only 17 minutes, getting to and from work is a breeze compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Whether you’re relocating to a new area to be closer to family, friends or for a new job, living in Plains could be a positive experience compared to other cities in Pennsylvania if you know where to search. Don't forget to determine what matters most to you in a neighborhood. Consider factors such as safety, proximity to work or school, access to amenities (like parks, fitness facilities, grocery stores, restaurants), public transportation options, community atmosphere and the overall vibe you're looking for. The best areas in Plains and in surrounding cities are easier to find when you are able to make informed decisions. Using data from cost of living, commute, education, housing, you will see a detailed breakdown of the most important information as well as comparisons to the Pennsylvania and national averages.
With a livability score of 77 out of 100, Plains is ranked #2,467 in the United States and #251 in Pennsylvania. Clearly, Plains is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. The cherry on top is that Plains also ranks in the top 10 percent of all cities. There are nine total categories that create the livability score. Plains ranks well for crime (A), cost of living (A+) and housing (A+) Unfortunately for Plains, there are some categories for which it does not rank well, this includes: amenities (D).
Finding affordable real estate and housing in Plains can be tricky. Having said that, this area might be the place to get the best of both worlds. Based on factors like home/rental affordability and appreciation rates, this area has received an above average score in the housing category. A healthy real estate market can lead to wealth appreciation for property owners, as rising property values can contribute to homeowners' equity, financial stability and the ability to build long-term wealth.
Plains 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 Plains. The median home price for Plains homes is $180,443, which is 39.1% lower than the Pennsylvania average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Plains, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 2.2, which is 40.5% lower than the Pennsylvania average.
| Statistic | Plains | Pennsylvania | National |
| Average one way commute | 17min | 26min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 78.6% | 76.5% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 14.3% | 8.5% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 0.5% | 5.6% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 4.3% | 3.8% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 2.3% | 4.2% | 4.6% |
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