New Kensington, PA vs Plum, PA

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. New Kensington is 24.5% cheaper than Plum. With a cost index of 65 vs 86, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from New Kensington to Plum should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in New Kensington is $694/month compared to $1,156/month in Plum — a 40% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: New Kensington is more affordable at $132,400 median vs $218,600.

Median household income in New Kensington is $49,644 compared to $98,475 in Plum (-49.6%). 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 New Kensington spend roughly 16.8% of their income on rent, more than the 14.1% in Plum.