Mechanicsburg, PA vs Plum, PA

Mechanicsburg, PA and Plum, PA have a very similar cost of living, with only a 2.6% difference in their overall index. Mechanicsburg scores 84 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 Mechanicsburg is $1,033/month compared to $1,156/month in Plum — a 11% difference. Interestingly, home values tell a different story: while Mechanicsburg has cheaper rent, Plum actually has lower median home values ($218,600 vs $227,600).

Median household income in Mechanicsburg is $81,696 compared to $98,475 in Plum (-17%). 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 Mechanicsburg spend roughly 15.2% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Plum.