Elizabethtown, PA vs Plains, PA

Plains is moderately more affordable than Elizabethtown, with a 14.3% lower cost of living index. Elizabethtown scores 84 compared to 73 for Plains, where the US average is 100. This difference means residents of Elizabethtown can expect to pay noticeably more for everyday expenses, housing, and services.

On the housing front, median rent in Elizabethtown is $1,038/month compared to $950/month in Plains — a 9% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Plains is more affordable at $141,800 median vs $222,600.

Median household income in Elizabethtown is $67,770 compared to $65,417 in Plains (+3.6%). Elizabethtown does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Elizabethtown spend roughly 18.4% of their income on rent, more than the 17.4% in Plains.