Plains is a small town of 4,205 in Pennsylvania, with a median household income of $64,049
and a 6.3% unemployment rate.
Its cost of living index is 93 (US average = 100), which is
7% below the national average.
Strengths:
Plains stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, short average commutes.
Trade-offs:
Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Plains is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.
All Plains city data on this page comes from official government sources —
the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.
Cost of Living
Index: 93.0
Plains's overall cost of living index is 93.0,
where 100 represents the US national average.
Living in Plains costs roughly 7% less than the average American city.
Metric
Plains, PA
National Avg
Median Home Value
$119,500
$244,900
Median Monthly Rent
$957
$1,163
Homeownership Rate
75.8%
65.9%
Median Household Income
$64,049
$74,755
Crime & Safety
Very Safe
Plains's violent crime rate is 135.5 per 100,000 residents
— 64% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.
Violent Crime
135.5 /100k
Property Crime
516.4 /100k
Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.
Schools & Education
Plains is served primarily by Wilkes-Barre Area SD.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.7:1
(slightly above the national average of ~16:1).
Metric
Plains, PA
National Avg
School District
Wilkes-Barre Area SD
—
Elementary Schools
5
—
Middle Schools
2
—
High Schools
2
—
Student/Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
21.6%
35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher
94.4%
91.1%
Weather & Climate
Plains sees average highs of 35.7°F in January
and 84.6°F in July,
with 45.4 inches of annual precipitation
and 45.1 inches of snow per year.
Plains's cost of living index is 93, where 100 is the national average.
That makes Plains roughly 7% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage.
The median home price is $119,500 and median rent is $957/month.
Plains's violent crime rate is 135.5 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 516.4 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Public schools in Plains are operated by Wilkes-Barre Area SD.
The district has 5 elementary, 2 middle, and 2 high schools.
The student-to-teacher ratio is 19.7:1. 21.6% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Plains, PA has a population of 4,205, a median household income of $64,049, and an unemployment rate of 6.3%.
It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.
Plains averages 35.7°F in January and 84.6°F in July. Annual rainfall is 45.4 inches
with about 45.1 inches of snow per year.
Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).
The population of Plains, Pennsylvania is 4,205 with a median age of 44.1. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
Key numbers for living in Plains: cost of living index 93 (100 = US average), median home $119,500, median household income $64,049, crime index 31 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated C+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Plains side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.