Plum Borough sits about 15 miles east of Pittsburgh. Most people drive right past it on the way to Monroeville. That is a mistake.
This quiet, 29-square-mile borough in Allegheny County checks nearly every box for families, young professionals, and retirees. Low crime. Good schools. Reasonable home prices. Green space. Easy access to the city.
Yet it rarely shows up on those "best Pittsburgh suburbs" lists. That needs to change.
Living here for years makes one thing very clear. Plum is not a hidden gem because it lacks quality. It is hidden because its residents prefer it that way.
A Quick Look at Plum Borough, PA
Plum Borough was founded in 1788. It takes its name from the plum trees that once lined the banks of Plum Creek. The borough was re-incorporated in 1956, when it shifted from an agricultural community into the residential suburb it is today.
Today, Plum has a population of roughly 26,500 to 27,000 residents. It spans 28.88 square miles of land, making it the second-largest borough in Pennsylvania by land area. The terrain is mostly wooded hills with floodplains along the Allegheny River and several smaller streams. It has a genuine suburban feel without the congestion of inner-ring Pittsburgh suburbs.
For anyone researching the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, Plum sits in a geographic sweet spot. It borders Penn Hills to the west, Oakmont to the northwest, and stretches east toward Murrysville in Westmoreland County.
The Real Estate Market: Affordable Homes Without Sacrificing Quality
The median home sale price in Plum was approximately $265,000 in early 2025, representing about a 6% increase year over year. That figure sits far below the U.S. national median home price, which hovered above $400,000 for much of 2024 and 2025. For buyers priced out of Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, or Mt. Lebanon, Plum is worth a serious look.
The housing stock in Plum reflects its postwar suburban roots. Single-family detached homes make up about 78% of all housing units. Many were built between the 1940s and 1960s, offering solid brick construction and established lots with mature trees. Newer developments from the 1970s through the 2000s round out the inventory.
The overall cost of living index in Plum sits around 98, which is just below the national average of 100. Healthcare and grocery costs trend lower than the national average as well.
For anyone weighing the full picture of settling in this area, the practical realities of the local market are well worth reviewing. If you are thinking about making a permanent move, understanding what new residents need to budget for when relocating to Plum can save a lot of surprises down the road.
Top-Rated Schools: A Major Draw for Families
The Plum Borough School District is one of the primary reasons families choose this community. Niche gives the district an overall grade of A-minus. Every school in the district receives a B or higher from the same rating platform.
The district operates five schools:
- O'Block Elementary (K-4)
- Pivik Elementary (K-4)
- Holiday Park Intermediate School (5-6)
- Plum Middle School (7-8)
- Plum Senior High School (9-12)
The high school competes in the AAAA football classification, the largest in the state, and supports a broad range of extracurriculars, clubs, and a chapter of the National Honor Society. Academic performance scores are consistently above state averages.
Higher education is also nearby. The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) Boyce Campus sits less than five miles from Plum's center. It offers more than 130 diploma, degree, and certificate programs. For families thinking about long-term educational opportunities without lengthy commutes, that access matters.
The Plum Borough School District is bordered by several strong neighboring districts including Gateway, Franklin Regional, and Allegheny Valley. That puts Plum in a cluster of well-regarded educational communities on Pittsburgh's eastern side.
Outdoor Recreation: More Than Most Suburbs Can Offer
Plum Borough offers outdoor recreation options that most suburbs its size simply cannot match.
Boyce Park
Boyce Park is the crown jewel of Allegheny County's parks system. It covers 1,096 acres and stretches through both Monroeville and Plum. It was established in 1963 and named after William D. Boyce, founder of the Boy Scouts of America, who was born in the area.
The park sits about 15 miles east of downtown Pittsburgh. It is the only park in Allegheny County with downhill skiing and snow tubing. In warmer months, visitors use a wave pool, archery range, skateboard park, and climbing walls. The trails are well-marked, and the wooded terrain makes for genuinely pleasant hiking year-round.
For Plum residents, Boyce Park is essentially a backyard amenity. Families ski in the winter and swim in the summer. Dog walkers, trail runners, and mountain bikers all use the same green space without crowding each other out.
Plum Creek Park and the Allegheny River
The borough owns several green spaces, including Plum Creek Park. This local park features picnic pavilions, athletic fields, and a playground. From June through September, the Monday Market operates here, a weekly farmers market that brings local vendors and residents together.
The streambank of Little Plum Creek is a well-known trout fishing spot. Youth Trout Fishing Day each spring draws families from across the borough.
The Allegheny River runs along Plum's northern border. Residents kayak and boat on the river during warmer months. Access points along the river make it easy to get on the water without traveling far.
Oakmont Country Club
Just beyond Plum's western edge sits the Oakmont Country Club, one of the most celebrated golf courses in the United States. It has hosted the U.S. Open Golf Championship nine times, more than any other course in the country. Living near Oakmont gives residents a front-row seat to world-class golf events without driving hours to reach them.
Community Events and Local Character
Plum Borough has a strong sense of community identity. Two annual events in particular draw residents together each year.
SummerFest is a large, free community event that local families look forward to each year. High school sports teams and local organizations set up booths, and the event serves as a genuine gathering point. Fall Fest serves a similar purpose in the autumn months.
The Monday Market at Plum Creek Park runs from June through September. Local farmers, artisans, and food vendors set up each week. For residents who value supporting local producers, it is a reliable weekly ritual.
Youth sports are a serious part of community life. The Plum Baseball and Softball Association, the Plum Midget Football Association, and the Plum Borough Youth Lacrosse Association all operate out of Plum Creek Park facilities. These organizations give children structured activity and give parents a way to connect with neighbors.
Safety: Consistently Below National Crime Averages
Safety is one of the most common concerns for people researching a new neighborhood. Plum holds up well here.
The borough's overall CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. FBI Crime Data Explorer figures also show that both violent crime and property crime rates in Plum remain below national figures.
It is worth noting that Plum received national attention in August 2023 after a tragic house explosion in the Rustic Ridge neighborhood claimed six lives. It was the second such incident since 2022. These events raised legitimate safety questions. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission completed its investigation in July 2024 and found that Peoples Natural Gas service lines were not determined to be the cause. Investigations by other agencies have continued. Residents and prospective buyers are aware of this history, and it is a factor worth researching before purchasing in certain neighborhoods.
Outside of those incidents, Plum's day-to-day safety record is notably strong for a community of its size.
Commuting From Plum: Getting to Pittsburgh and Beyond
Plum's location on the eastern fringe of Allegheny County gives residents solid access to Pittsburgh without putting them in the thick of city traffic on a daily basis.
The major commuting routes from Plum include the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) and Interstate 376, the Parkway East. Both connect directly to downtown Pittsburgh. The drive to downtown Pittsburgh during off-peak hours takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes. During peak rush hours, expect closer to 35 to 45 minutes depending on conditions.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) provides bus service to and from Plum for those who prefer public transportation. The CCAC Boyce Campus is also accessible by bus for students commuting to class.
For residents who work in the eastern suburbs, Monroeville and the Parkway East corridor put major employers within a short drive. The area includes healthcare facilities, technology employers, and corporate offices.
Remote workers, of whom about 22.7% of Plum residents reported working from home as of recent data, appreciate the borough's combination of quiet residential streets, reliable internet infrastructure, and proximity to services without city-level noise or density.
Dining, Shopping, and Daily Conveniences
Plum is primarily residential, but it is far from lacking in everyday conveniences.
Saltsburg Road and Golden Mile Highway serve as the main commercial corridors. Both offer grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and service businesses. The nearby Monroeville Mall is about a 10-minute drive for major retail shopping.
Local restaurants add character to the community. Eighty Acres, a farm-to-table restaurant, brings a contemporary dining option to the area. Puglianos serves Italian and Serbian specialties. John Anthony's offers classic Italian dishes and fresh pizza. These are not chain restaurants. They are locally owned spots that longtime residents return to regularly.
For major medical care, Forbes Hospital sits just a few miles away in Monroeville. UPMC facilities are accessible throughout the Pittsburgh metro area.
Who Lives in Plum? The Demographics and Lifestyle?
Plum attracts a wide range of residents. The borough is popular with families because of its schools and park access. Young professionals choose it for its relatively lower cost of entry into the housing market compared to closer-in Pittsburgh suburbs. Retirees appreciate the quieter pace, green space, and community events.
About 43% of adult residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median household income is approximately $98,000 to $100,000, which reflects a financially stable residential base.
The community leans suburban in lifestyle. Most residents drive to work, to school, and to shops. Walking scores for most areas of Plum are low, which is typical for communities of this type in western Pennsylvania. That said, residents who value outdoor walkability have access to trails at Boyce Park that most suburbs cannot replicate.
There is also a 55-plus community in Plum, the Clover Commons development, for buyers seeking age-restricted single-level living. This adds to the variety of housing options across different life stages.
Why Plum Stays Under the Radar?
Ask longtime Plum residents why the borough does not get more attention. Many will laugh and say they are perfectly fine with that.
Plum does not have a trendy downtown district. It does not have a "walkable main street" with coffee shops and boutiques. By the metrics that drive most "best suburbs" rankings, it lacks the curated commercial identity that draws media coverage.
What it has instead is quieter: good public schools, accessible green space, safe streets, a reasonable cost of living, and a community that knows its neighbors. These qualities attract people who are done chasing the trendiest zip code and ready to settle into a place that simply works.
For those who have already moved here, Plum tends to hold on to its residents. Turnover is relatively low. People arrive, put down roots, and stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How far is Plum Borough from downtown Pittsburgh?
Plum is approximately 13 to 15 miles east of downtown Pittsburgh. The drive takes roughly 20 to 30 minutes without traffic via Interstate 376 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
2. What are the best neighborhoods in Plum Borough for families?
Holiday Park is one of the most well-known residential communities within Plum. It is a self-contained neighborhood with easy access to schools, shopping, and parks. Other family-friendly areas include those near Boyce Park and along the Saltsburg Road corridor.
3. Is Plum Borough a safe place to live?
Yes, by most measures Plum is safe. Its CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10 is well below the national average of 4. Violent and property crime rates are consistently below national figures. Residents are advised to research the Rustic Ridge area specifically given the house explosion incidents that occurred between 2022 and 2023.
4. How are the public schools in Plum Borough?
The Plum Borough School District holds an overall A-minus rating from Niche. The district operates two elementary schools, one intermediate school, one middle school, and Plum Senior High School. Every school in the district receives a B grade or higher.
5. What outdoor activities are available in Plum Borough?
Plum has access to Boyce Park, a 1,096-acre county park with hiking trails, a wave pool, an archery range, a skateboard park, and Allegheny County's only downhill ski area. Plum Creek Park offers fishing, youth sports, and a weekly farmers market. The Allegheny River borders the north side of the borough and provides access for kayaking and boating.
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