Darby, PA vs Plum, PA

Darby, PA and Plum, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 1.6% difference in their overall index. Darby scores 85 while Plum scores 86 on the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average. The day-to-day expenses for residents in both cities are comparable, though differences emerge when looking at specific categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Darby is $1,337/month compared to $1,156/month in Plum — a 16% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Plum has cheaper rent, Darby actually has lower median home values ($101,900 vs $218,600).

Median household income in Darby is $45,128 compared to $98,475 in Plum (-54.2%). While Plum is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Darby spend roughly 35.6% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Plum. The Plum ratio exceeds the commonly recommended 30% threshold, which can put pressure on household budgets.