Population
Plum
26,873
Independence
29,024
Median Income
Plum
$98,475
Independence
$98,653
Home Value
Plum
$218,600
Independence
$240,500
Rent
Plum
$1,156
Independence
$1,204
Crime Rate
Plum
0.61
Independence
0.27
Cost of Living
Plum
133.5
Independence
129.3
Avg Temp
Plum
N/A
Independence
N/A
Unemployment
Plum
2.9%
Independence
2.8%
How Similar Are Plum & Independence?
Independence is Plum's #7 most similar city
6 of 10 key metrics match within 10%
Population
Plum
26,873
Independence
29,024
Both cities have similar populations — Plum at 26,873 and Independence at 29,024.
Violent Crime
Plum
0.61
Independence
0.27
Plum has a 34% higher violent crime than Independence.
Property Crime
Plum
1.53
Independence
3.16
Independence's property crime is significantly higher than Plum's — 52% difference.
Political Leaning
Plum
39.4%
Independence
59.9%
Plum leans Democratic while Independence leans Republican.
Unemployment
Plum
2.9%
Independence
2.8%
Both cities have similar unemployment — just a 5% difference.
Median Income
Plum
$98,475
Independence
$98,653
Both cities have similar median income — just a 0% difference.
Home Values
Plum
$218,600
Independence
$240,500
Both cities have similar home values — just a 9% difference.
Education
Plum
31.2%
Independence
24.3%
Plum has a 22% higher education than Independence.
Demographics
Plum
92.3%
Independence
93.5%
Both cities have similar demographics — just a 1% difference.
Cost of Living
Plum
133.5
Independence
129.3
Both cities have similar cost of living — just a 3% difference.
6 out of 10 key metrics match within 10%. Plum and Independence share several key characteristics.
At a Glance
0
Plum
0
Independence
Independence leads in 4 of 8 categories
Cost of Living & Affordability — Independence leads
Source: City Stats Index / HUDIndependence scores 124.9 on the transportation index (100 = national avg) vs 150.5 in Plum. Plum has a fair market rent (2br) of $1,299 vs $1,353 in Independence. Independence scores 129.3 on the overall cost index (100 = national avg) vs 133.5 in Plum.
Overall Cost Index
Housing Index
Food Index
Transportation Index
Healthcare Index
Utilities Index
Living Wage (1 Adult)
Living Wage (Family of 4)
Fair Market Rent (1BR)
Fair Market Rent (2BR)
Housing Market — Independence leads
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACSIndependence has a vacancy rate of 2.2% compared to 6.8% in Plum. Independence has a median property tax of $2,457 vs $3,886 in Plum (58% lower). Independence has a median home value of $240,500 vs $218,600 in Plum (9% higher).
Median Home Value
Median Rent
Median Property Tax
Owner-Occupied
Vacancy Rate
Single-Family Homes
Jobs & Economy — Independence leads
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACSPlum has a work from home of 21.2% compared to 12.7% in Independence. Plum has a poverty rate of 3.0% compared to 8.5% in Independence. Plum has a per capita income of $45,954 vs $39,477 in Independence (16% higher).
Median Household Income
Per Capita Income
Poverty Rate
Unemployment Rate
Labor Force
Mean Commute
Work from Home
Private Sector
Government Sector
Crime & Safety — Independence leads
Source: FBI UCRIndependence has a assault rate (per 1k) of 0.07 compared to 0.57 in Plum. Independence has a burglary rate (per 1k) of 0.24 compared to 0.65 in Plum. Independence has a violent crime rate (per 1k) of 0.27 compared to 0.61 in Plum.
Violent Crime Rate (per 1K)
Property Crime Rate (per 1K)
Murder Rate (per 1K)
Robbery Rate (per 1K)
Assault Rate (per 1K)
Burglary Rate (per 1K)
Larceny Rate (per 1K)
Violent Crime Clearance
Property Crime Clearance
Weather & Climate
Source: NOAA / Open-MeteoAvg Annual Temperature
Avg Annual High
Avg Annual Low
Sunny Days per Year
Annual Rainfall
Annual Snowfall
Avg Humidity
Schools & Education — Plum leads
Source: NCES / U.S. Census BureauPlum has a bachelor's degree or higher of 31.2% compared to 24.3% in Independence. Plum has a high school diploma or higher of 48.8% compared to 41.0% in Independence.
Public Schools
Avg Student-Teacher Ratio
Colleges & Universities
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
High School Diploma or Higher
Demographics & Community
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACSIndependence has a population of 29,024, about 1.1x the size of Plum (26,873). Independence skews younger with a median age of 34.8 vs 43.5.
Population
Median Age
Avg Household Size
Married Population
Foreign Born
White
Black
Hispanic
Asian
Plum
Independence
Healthcare
Source: CMS Hospital ComparePlum: 5 vs Independence: 4 for with emergency services. Independence: 3.5 vs Plum: 3.4 for avg cms rating (out of 5).
Nearby Hospitals
Avg CMS Rating (out of 5)
With Emergency Services
Transportation & Commute — Plum leads
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACSPlum has a public transit of 1.9% compared to 0.3% in Independence. Plum has a work from home of 21.2% compared to 12.7% in Independence. Independence has a drive alone of 77.8% compared to 71.0% in Plum.
Mean Commute Time
Drive Alone
Public Transit
Bicycle
Work from Home
Airports
Cities Similar to Plum, PA
Compare Plum against its closest statistical matches across demographics, income, crime, health, and more.
City Comparison
8-axis fingerprint: population, income, housing, crime, education, age, climate, and cost of living. Click legend items to toggle.