Is Plymouth Meeting Safe, Pros and cons of living in Plymouth Meeting

Plymouth Meeting, a census-designated place in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities. Nestled northwest of Philadelphia, it boasts a rich history dating back to its European settlement in the late 1600s by Quakers. This heritage is still visible in surviving historical buildings, including the Plymouth Friends Meetinghouse built in 1708.

The community is recognized for its excellent schools and quiet, cultured atmosphere, making it an attractive option for families and individuals alike. Its strategic location is further enhanced by its proximity to major transportation routes, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) and the Mid-County Expressway (I-476). This connectivity facilitates easy commutes and access to the wider Philadelphia metropolitan area.

Is it Safe to Live in Plymouth Meeting?

Plymouth Meeting is considered a very safe place to live, with crime rates significantly lower than both national and state averages. The overall crime rate is 72% lower than the national average, with property crime rates 73% lower and violent crime rates 78% lower (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Plymouth Meeting is approximately 1 in 183, and the community is served by the Plymouth Township Police Department (as reported by AreaVibes).

While overall crime is low, specific neighborhood safety can vary. Some reports indicate that the southeast and east parts of the city are generally considered the safest (as reported by NeighborhoodScout and CrimeGrade.org). The chance of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 37 in the south neighborhoods to 1 in 73 in the southeast (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). The cost of crime per resident is also lower than the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Cost of Living and Housing

The cost of living in Plymouth Meeting is higher than both the national and Pennsylvania state averages. Overall, it is approximately 27% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale) and about 9% higher than the national average according to another estimate (as reported by ERI Economic Research Institute). Housing expenses are a significant contributor, being 109% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale) and approximately 93% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

As of December 2025, the median home price in Plymouth Meeting is $521,000, showing a year-over-year growth of 3.8% (as reported by realtor.com®). The median rent in Plymouth Meeting is around $2,360 per month as of July 2025, with a year-over-year increase of 2.2% (as reported by realtor.com®). For a family of four, the Economic Policy Institute estimates a yearly income of $103,321 is needed to live comfortably in Plymouth Meeting.

Job Market and Economy

The average salary for jobs in Plymouth Meeting is approximately $72,878 per year, or $35 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert). However, other sources place the average annual salary closer to $65,000, or $31.25 per hour (as reported by Zippia). The unemployment rate in Plymouth Meeting is reported as 1.9% (as reported by Niche).

Major employers in the area contribute to the local economy, with IKEA’s U.S. headquarters being a notable presence (as reported by Wikipedia). Other significant companies include GE, Dal-Tile, Trelleborg, and various retail establishments like Target, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot (as reported by Indeed.com and Lensa). The presence of several large office parks also indicates a robust commercial sector.

Climate and Weather

Plymouth Meeting experiences a climate with significant temperature variations throughout the year. Summers are warm, humid, and can be wet, with daytime highs in July averaging around 86°F (25°C) and nighttime lows around 66°F (20°C) (as reported by Weather and Climate). Winters are cold and snowy, with January seeing average daily highs of around 40°F (5°C) and lows of 25°F (-4°C) (as reported by Weather and Climate).

The area receives substantial precipitation, averaging about 51 inches of rain and snow annually (as reported by Weather and Climate). August is typically the wettest month, with around 11.1 days of precipitation, while November is the driest (as reported by Weather and Climate). The sunniest month is July, with an average of 9.2 hours of sunshine per day.

Education and Schools

Plymouth Meeting is served by the Colonial School District, which is highly regarded and considered one of the best in Pennsylvania. A significant portion of its schools are rated “Above Average” by GreatSchools (as reported by AreaVibes). Public schools in Plymouth Meeting demonstrate strong academic performance, with average math proficiency scores of 68% and reading proficiency scores of 76%, both surpassing the state averages (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Overall, Plymouth Meeting schools have an average rating of 10/10, placing them in the top 10% of Pennsylvania public schools (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).

Notable schools in the district include Plymouth-Whitemarsh Senior High School, Plymouth Elementary School, and Colonial Middle School. The community also offers private school options and is served by the William Jeanes Memorial Library.

Demographics and Population

As of the 2020 census, Plymouth Meeting had a population of 7,452 people (as reported by Wikipedia). Recent estimates place the population slightly higher, around 7,178 in 2026 (as reported by Data Commons). The population has seen growth, increasing by 14.96% since the 2020 census (as reported by Data Commons). The median age in Plymouth Meeting is approximately 39.5 years (as reported by Data Commons).

The demographic makeup is predominantly White, with around 73% of residents identifying as White (as reported by Niche). Other significant ethnic groups include Hispanic (9%), African American (8%), and Asian (7%) populations (as reported by Niche). The community is largely composed of citizens, with 96.7% of residents being U.S. citizens (as reported by Data Commons).

Pros and Cons of Living in Plymouth Meeting

Plymouth Meeting offers numerous advantages, including its excellent school system, which consistently ranks among the best in the state (as reported by AreaVibes and NeighborhoodScout). The community is also exceptionally safe, with crime rates significantly lower than national averages (as reported by AreaVibes and CrimeGrade.org).

The suburban environment provides a quiet and cultured atmosphere, while its strategic location offers convenient access to Philadelphia and major transportation networks. However, the cost of living, particularly housing, is considerably higher than both national and state averages (as reported by AreaVibes and Payscale).