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Best suburbs in Philadelphia

Written by:
April 25, 2024
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Best suburbs in Philadelphia

The GI Bill of Rights, Ike's interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.

Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.

A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.

What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.

Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Philadelphia. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.

Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Philadelphia.

Family with two children walking on pedestrian bridge in city park.
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imtmphoto // Shutterstock

#25. Berwyn, Pennsylvania

- Population: 3,700
- Median home value: $654,400
- Median rental price: $1,610

- Top schools nearby: Conestoga Senior High School (grade A+), Devon Elementary School (grade A+), Hillside Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Father gives son ride on his shoulders outside of house.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#24. Buckingham Township, Pennsylvania

- Population: 20,820
- Median home value: $644,300
- Median rental price: $1,475

- Top schools nearby: Central Bucks High School - East (grade A+), Central Bucks High School - West (grade A+), Linden Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: George School (grade A+), Solebury School (grade A+), Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Shot of young couple with son playing in park.
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Josep Suria // Shutterstock

#23. Spring House, Pennsylvania

- Population: 4,840
- Median home value: $620,300
- Median rental price: $2,450

- Top schools nearby: The Souderton Charter School Collaborative (grade A+), Wissahickon Senior High School (grade A+), Wissahickon Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Germantown Academy (grade A+), Abington Friends School (grade A+), Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−
Cropped portrait of cheerful family playing soccer.
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BAZA Production // Shutterstock

#22. Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania

- Population: 6,756
- Median home value: $449,600
- Median rental price: $1,803

- Top schools nearby: Plymouth-Whitemarsh Senior High School (grade A+), Plymouth Elementary School (grade A), Colonial Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Germantown Friends School (grade A+), The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Two happy girlfriends looking in a shop window.
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RossHelen // Shutterstock

#21. Narberth, Pennsylvania

- Population: 4,478
- Median home value: $620,300
- Median rental price: $1,738

- Top schools nearby: Harriton Senior High School (grade A+), Lower Merion High School (grade A+), Penn Valley School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Germantown Friends School (grade A+), The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Young happy women shopping for vegetables and fruits.
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NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#20. Radnor Township, Pennsylvania

- Population: 33,260
- Median home value: $762,400
- Median rental price: $1,795

- Top schools nearby: Radnor Senior High School (grade A+), Ithan Elementary School (grade A+), Radnor Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Couple in business clothes leaving home for work.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#19. Charlestown Township, Pennsylvania

- Population: 6,093
- Median home value: $719,200
- Median rental price: $2,098

- Top schools nearby: Valley Forge Middle School (grade A+), Valley Forge Elementary School (grade A+), Great Valley High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Episcopal Academy (grade A+), Malvern Preparatory School (grade A+), Westtown School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Mother and children playing basketball on driveway.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#18. Haverford Township, Pennsylvania

- Population: 50,375
- Median home value: $413,000
- Median rental price: $1,584

- Top schools nearby: Loomis Elementary School (grade A), Haverford Senior High School (grade A), Chatham Park Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Customers enjoying meals in busy restaurant.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#17. West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

- Population: 1,516
- Median home value: $391,100
- Median rental price: $1,875

- Top schools nearby: Upper Merion High School (grade A), Roberts Elementary School (grade A), Upper Merion Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Female bakery stall owner at a farmers market.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

- Population: 6,428
- Median home value: $532,600
- Median rental price: $2,813

- Top schools nearby: Wissahickon Senior High School (grade A+), Plymouth-Whitemarsh Senior High School (grade A+), Wissahickon Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Shipley School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Woman pushing child on swing on playground.
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oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

#15. East Whiteland Township, Pennsylvania

- Population: 14,143
- Median home value: $562,600
- Median rental price: $1,862

- Top schools nearby: Great Valley High School (grade A+), Charlestown Elementary School (grade A), Exton Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Episcopal Academy (grade A+), Malvern Preparatory School (grade A+), Westtown School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter while walking outside.
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Akarawut // Shutterstock

#14. Exton, Pennsylvania

- Population: 6,272
- Median home value: $535,100
- Median rental price: $1,943

- Top schools nearby: J.R. Fugett Middle School (grade A), Mary C. Howse Elementary School (grade A), Henderson High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Episcopal Academy (grade A+), Malvern Preparatory School (grade A+), Westtown School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Young man and little girl laughing with ice cream.
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YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#13. King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

- Population: 24,423
- Median home value: $375,700
- Median rental price: $1,854

- Top schools nearby: Valley Forge Middle School (grade A+), Valley Forge Elementary School (grade A+), New Eagle Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Happy family with child and shopping cart buying food at grocery store.
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Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#12. East Marlborough Township, Pennsylvania

- Population: 7,432
- Median home value: $537,700
- Median rental price: $896

- Top schools nearby: The Charter School of Wilmington (grade A+), Unionville High School (grade A+), Pocopson Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Tower Hill School (grade A+), Westtown School (grade A+), Sanford School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
A group of young children getting on the schoolbus.
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Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. Upper Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania

- Population: 12,474
- Median home value: $561,600
- Median rental price: $2,994

- Top schools nearby: Downingtown STEM Academy (grade A+), Lionville Middle School (grade A), Pickering Valley Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Malvern Preparatory School (grade A+), Church Farm School (grade A+), Kimberton Waldorf School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. Paoli, Pennsylvania

- Population: 6,121
- Median home value: $445,300
- Median rental price: $1,803

- Top schools nearby: Conestoga Senior High School (grade A+), Valley Forge Middle School (grade A+), Hillside Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+), Malvern Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
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Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#9. Nether Providence Township, Pennsylvania

- Population: 14,432
- Median home value: $400,300
- Median rental price: $1,663

- Top schools nearby: Wallingford Elementary School (grade A+), Swarthmore-Rutledge School (grade A+), Strath Haven High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Episcopal Academy (grade A+), Friends' Central School (grade A+), The Agnes Irwin School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
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Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#8. Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

- Population: 4,703
- Median home value: $331,600
- Median rental price: $1,288

- Top schools nearby: Jenkintown Middle/High School (grade A), Jenkintown Elementary School (grade A), Glenside Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools nearby: Germantown Friends School (grade A+), Germantown Academy (grade A+), William Penn Charter School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

- Population: 9,182
- Median home value: $381,100
- Median rental price: $1,892

- Top schools nearby: Plymouth-Whitemarsh Senior High School (grade A+), Plymouth Elementary School (grade A), Colonial Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
A family playing soccer together.
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Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. Rose Valley, Pennsylvania

- Population: 1,187
- Median home value: $679,700
- Median rental price: $3,250

- Top schools nearby: Wallingford Elementary School (grade A+), Strath Haven High School (grade A+), Strath Haven Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Archmere Academy (grade A+), Delaware County Christian School (grade A+), The Christian Academy (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Happy young family sitting in a park.
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Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. Devon, Pennsylvania

- Population: 1,890
- Median home value: $655,700
- Median rental price: $2,177

- Top schools nearby: Conestoga Senior High School (grade A+), Valley Forge Middle School (grade A+), Devon Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Happy family in backyard with dog.
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#4. Swarthmore, Pennsylvania

- Population: 6,507
- Median home value: $504,900
- Median rental price: $1,376

- Top schools nearby: Swarthmore-Rutledge School (grade A+), Strath Haven High School (grade A+), Strath Haven Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Friends' Central School (grade A+), Archmere Academy (grade A+), Delaware County Christian School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
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F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Penn Wynne, Pennsylvania

- Population: 6,127
- Median home value: $465,300
- Median rental price: $1,838

- Top schools nearby: Julia R. Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School (grade A+), Lower Merion High School (grade A+), Bala Cynwyd Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Germantown Friends School (grade A+), The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
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FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Ardmore, Pennsylvania

- Population: 14,075
- Median home value: $424,100
- Median rental price: $1,615

- Top schools nearby: Harriton Senior High School (grade A+), Lower Merion High School (grade A+), Penn Valley School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Baldwin School (grade A+), Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (grade A+), The Episcopal Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: B−
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
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PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania

- Population: 5,428
- Median home value: $406,200
- Median rental price: $2,554

- Top schools nearby: Conestoga Senior High School (grade A+), Valley Forge Middle School (grade A+), Valley Forge Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Episcopal Academy (grade A+), Malvern Preparatory School (grade A+), Westtown School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: C+
--- Cost of living grade: C+
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.

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