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Quality of Life in Plum, PA
Above-average quality of iife. The area offers a reasonable cost of living, decent mobility, and a mix of neighborhood amenities.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.
Cost of Living
9% below national average
The Real Cost of Living in Plum, PA for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $18k | $35k |
| Comfortable | $42k | $62k |
| Luxury | $130k+ | $202k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $153k+ | $237k+ |
158%
The Area Signal
A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.
Hobbies
Explore the areaGroceries
5 within 10 miles
Gas
20 within 10 miles
Hospital
20 within 20 miles
Airport
Pittsburgh International Airport
Post Office
USPS — Springdale, PA
Critical Amenities
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Plum, Pennsylvania, is an affluent suburban community in Allegheny County that offers a distinctly quieter, more spacious alternative to living directly in Pittsburgh, about 17 miles east of the city. With a cost of living index of 91—9% below the national average—the borough attracts a mix of established professionals, growing families, and long-term residents who prioritize good schools and larger homes over urban nightlife. The population of roughly 27,000 is predominantly white-collar, with a median household income well above the state average, reflecting a community built around stability and suburban comfort.
Cost of living, housing costs, and how Plum compares to nearby suburbs
Plum’s housing market is notably more affordable than many close-in Pittsburgh suburbs like Fox Chapel or Mt. Lebanon, yet offers comparable space and lot sizes. The median home value sits at $218,600, well below the national median of roughly $350,000, while the median rent of $1,156 is similarly reasonable for the region. This combination makes Plum a strong value proposition for buyers seeking a single-family home with a yard without crossing into the $400,000+ range common in some eastern Allegheny County communities. The average commute of approximately 31 minutes is slightly longer than the national average, but the trade-off is access to the Plum Borough School District, consistently rated among the top in the county, and lower property taxes relative to many Pittsburgh city neighborhoods. Utility costs and grocery prices also track below the national average, reinforcing the overall affordability picture.
Local amenities, schools, and what daily life is like for families
Daily life in Plum revolves around its strong school system, extensive park network, and convenient access to regional shopping and employment centers. The Plum Borough School District serves over 3,800 students and regularly earns high marks for academic performance, with a graduation rate above 95%. For recreation, residents use the 300-acre Plum Community Park, which features sports fields, walking trails, and a community pool, while nearby Boyce Park offers skiing and mountain biking. Retail is concentrated along Route 286, with grocery stores, big-box chains, and local restaurants like the popular Plum Bistro. The borough lacks a traditional downtown, so most errands require a car, but the trade-off is low crime rates and a quiet, family-oriented atmosphere. Commuters have direct access to the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) and Route 22, making downtown Pittsburgh reachable in about 30 minutes outside of peak rush hour.
Plum is best suited for families and professionals who value strong public schools, low crime, and suburban space over walkable urban amenities. Empty-nesters and retirees also find the area appealing due to its affordable single-level homes and proximity to healthcare facilities like UPMC East in nearby Monroeville. Young singles or those seeking a vibrant nightlife scene would likely find Plum too quiet, as the borough has few bars or entertainment venues. For anyone prioritizing a safe, well-funded school district and a house with a yard within a reasonable commute to Pittsburgh, Plum represents one of the most balanced options in the eastern suburbs.
Crime in Plum, PA
Lower crime rates than 97% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Plum, Pennsylvania, is one of the safest communities in the Pittsburgh metro area, with violent and property crime rates that are dramatically lower than both state and national averages. The borough’s violent crime rate of 30.5 incidents per 100,000 residents is roughly one-tenth the national average, while its property crime rate of 144.8 per 100,000 is about one-fifth the U.S. figure. These numbers place Plum among the top 10 safest municipalities in Allegheny County by per-capita crime.
Crime in context
Plum’s violent crime rate is 92% lower than the national average and 85% lower than the Pennsylvania state average. Property crime in the borough is similarly suppressed, running 80% below the national benchmark. For comparison, nearby Pittsburgh’s violent crime rate hovers around 700 per 100,000, making Plum roughly 23 times safer than the urban core. The borough’s low crime profile is consistent with other affluent eastern suburbs like Murrysville and Monroeville, though Plum edges them out on property crime metrics. Statewide, only a handful of municipalities under 30,000 population—such as Upper St. Clair and Mt. Lebanon—post comparable figures.
What residents experience
Residents report that serious crime is a rare event in daily life. The Plum Police Department, a full-time force of about 25 sworn officers, maintains a visible presence along major corridors like Route 286 and in the borough’s numerous residential subdivisions. The most common incidents are minor property crimes—vehicle break-ins and package thefts—which tend to cluster near shopping plazas and apartment complexes. Violent offenses are almost unheard of; the borough recorded zero homicides in 2023 and typically sees fewer than five aggravated assaults annually. However, readers should be aware that Plum falls under the jurisdiction of Allegheny County’s court system, which has trended toward progressive sentencing policies in recent years. District Attorney Stephen Zappala has faced criticism for diversion programs that some argue reduce accountability for repeat property offenders, a concern shared by residents in nearby communities like Penn Hills and Wilkinsburg. While Plum’s own police work is effective, the broader judicial environment in Allegheny County—with its emphasis on rehabilitation over incarceration—means that some offenders cycle back into the area, a dynamic that residents should monitor.
Neighborhood-level variation is minimal but worth noting. The borough’s eastern sections, closer to the Allegheny River and less densely developed, see the lowest crime rates. The western edge, abutting Monroeville’s commercial strip, experiences slightly higher property crime, particularly in the Holiday Park and Renton areas. Overall, Plum’s safety profile is exceptional for a Pittsburgh suburb, but the county’s progressive justice policies introduce a risk factor that residents and prospective movers should weigh against the borough’s strong local policing.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-24T12:17:36.000Z
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