| Index | Plum | Pennsylvania | National |
| Cost of living | 99 | 97 | 100 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 | 100 |
| Health care | 101 | 99 | 100 |
| Housing | 91 | 90 | 100 |
| Transportation | 105 | 101 | 100 |
| Utilities | 104 | 99 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| Household Items | 100 | 99 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 104 | 101 | 100 |

Are you thinking about relocating, but curious about the potential cost of living in Plum? Is it more expensive or more affordable than average? Based on the most recent report, the cost of living in Plum stands at 99, making it 1% lower than the national average. The cost of living directly affects the affordability of one's desired lifestyle. Knowing the cost of housing, transportation, groceries and other essentials in the new area allows people to gauge whether they can maintain their preferred standard of living.
In Plum, daily expenses such as food, housing, lifestyle expenses, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in Plum will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.
Is Plum affordable? This is a pivotal question, especially when mulling over a move, as affordability carries substantial weight in your decision-making process. Factors such as the cost of living index (discussed earlier), housing expenses and income levels all contribute to a location's affordability. For instance, in Plum, the median home price is 12.8% lower than the national average and monthly rent prices are 0.1% lower than the typical rates. Additionally, the median income levels play a role in affordability, with Plum boasting a median household income of $123,683, 52.1% higher than the national average.
Healthcare: The costs associated with healthcare and insurance premiums can exhibit notable disparities based on the city or state of residence. Access to healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for medical appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs and specialized medical care expenses all contribute to variations in the cost of living. In Plum, healthcare costs are 1.3% higher than the national average.
Groceries: Grocery costs have continued to increase significantly over the last 2-3 years. In some markets the cost of food has gone up by more than 20% in that period. While other markets have managed to see only a moderate uptick. These food costs can have a major impact on the cost of living in any area. In Plum, the groceries index is 0.6% lower than the national average.
Transportation: In situations where public transportation is limited or nonexistent, local residents may be required to own and maintain their own vehicles, contributing to an elevated cost of living. Monthly expenditures may encompass fuel costs, insurance premiums, routine vehicle upkeep and possibly lease or financing payments. In Plum, the transportation index is 5% higher than the national average.
The Plum cost of living data above is designed around a U.S. average baseline of 100, allowing for easy comparisons of relative living costs. Housing incorporates U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other figures are AI-assisted estimates that account for regional price trends, climate, transportation dynamics, and common everyday expenses. These values are best used as directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $138,528 | $11,544 | $3,232 | $4,156 |
| Renters | $78,938 | $6,578 | $1,842 | $2,368 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 8% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 3.07% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Crabtree, PA | 106 | 102 | 1.8% |
| Harrison City, PA | 81 | 102 | 1.8% |
| North Braddock, PA | 4,860 | 81 | 18.8% |
| Duquesne, PA | 5,736 | 82 | 17.7% |
| Rankin, PA | 2,002 | 83 | 17.4% |
| Plum, PA | 28,078 | 99 | 1.5% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Citrus Park, FL | 28,085 | 117 | 17.4% |
| Wakefield, MA | 28,061 | 158 | 57.8% |
| Lake Jackson, TX | 28,060 | 103 | 3.5% |
| Glen Cove, NY | 28,057 | 156 | 55.9% |
| Gladstone, MO | 28,101 | 93 | 6.5% |
| Plum, PA | 28,078 | 99 | 1.5% |