Chesterbrook Tops Niche's 2025 Best Suburbs List as Housing Costs Remain High

Niche.com’s 2025 ranking of the Best Suburbs to Live in America names Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania, the nation’s top suburb, highlighting high marks for schools, safety and access to amenities even as median home prices remain elevated across the list.

The ranking, compiled and reported by Realtor.com, combines quantitative data from sources including the U.S. Census with resident feedback to assess school quality, crime rates, housing trends, employment statistics and amenity access, Niche officials said. "Where you live shapes so much of your life, from career opportunities to your kids’ education, and even your health!" Nick Liberati, director of communications and content at Niche, told Realtor.com. Niche defines a suburb as a place located within a Census-defined urbanized area but outside the principal city with a population of at least 1,000.

Only four of the 20 suburbs on the list have median listing prices below the national median of $439,990, according to Realtor.com, underscoring the cost of higher-ranked suburban communities. Those four are Penn Wynne, Pa. ($288,750); Ardmore, Pa. ($429,500); Okemos, Mich. ($439,000); and Brentwood, Mo., which posts the lowest median at $185,000. "Many of the suburbs on the list are relatively high-priced, but those higher costs often come with larger homes and a more desirable suburban pace of life," Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com, said.

The list reflects broader housing market shifts since the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote work and demand for more living space drove a move from urban cores to suburbs early in the pandemic, pushing prices up in many suburban markets. The U.S. Census Bureau has since tracked some return to cities as in-office mandates resumed, but consumer preferences remain tilted toward single-family suburban homes among younger cohorts. A study from the Institute for Family Studies cited by Realtor.com found that 79% of Americans under 55 say a suburban single-family home is their ideal dwelling, compared with 8% for an apartment and 7% for a townhouse. "For better or worse, the image of the suburban house, complete with a white picket fence and a backyard of one’s own, is permanently etched in our minds," Lawrence R. Samuel, author of "Home Ownership in America," said.

Philadelphia’s Main Line is a notable concentration on the list, occupying three of the top 20 slots: Chesterbrook at No. 1, Ardmore at No. 5 and Penn Wynne at No. 6. Chesterbrook is characterized as a dense suburban development with many townhomes, roughly 64% homeownership, walkability and an array of nearby amenities including King of Prussia mall, regional rail service and access to parks such as Valley Forge National Historical Park. "It’s a stone’s throw from the city," Kate Sydnes of Keller Williams Main Line Realty told Realtor.com, calling the Main Line a blend of Philadelphia’s offerings and suburban convenience.

Other high-ranking suburbs include Carmel, Ind., at No. 2 with a median list price of $599,900 and a population of about 100,501; Madison, Ala., at No. 3 with a $845,000 median; and Johns Creek, Ga., at No. 4 with an $849,900 median. Johns Creek, which Niche ranked among the top small cities in a separate Realtor.com list, was praised by local industry figures for high property values, low crime, solid schools and community recreation programming. "It organizes community events throughout the year for people of all ages, from families with young kids to retirees," Martin Orefice, CEO of Rent to Own Atlanta, said.

The top 20 suburbs on Niche’s 2025 list are Chesterbrook, Pa. (No. 1); Carmel, Ind. (No. 2); Madison, Ala. (No. 3); Johns Creek, Ga. (No. 4); Ardmore, Pa. (No. 5); Penn Wynne, Pa. (No. 6); Brookline, Mass. (No. 7); Cinco Ranch, Texas (No. 8); Okemos, Mich. (No. 9); Naperville, Ill. (No. 10); Innsbrook, Va. (No. 11); Clarendon Hills, Ill. (No. 12); North Potomac, Md. (No. 13); Brentwood, Mo. (No. 14); Cary, N.C. (No. 15); Hinsdale, Ill. (No. 16); Blue Ash, Ohio (No. 17); Alpharetta, Ga. (No. 18); Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J. (No. 19); and Swarthmore, Pa. (No. 20). Median listing prices on the list range from Brentwood’s $185,000 to Brookline’s $1.687 million and several other suburbs with medians above $800,000.

The ranking aims to help families, homebuyers and professionals make informed relocation decisions by aggregating vetted data with resident experience, Niche said. Analysts and brokers cited in Realtor.com noted that while high prices can be a barrier to new buyers, the tradeoff for many households remains access to larger living spaces, perceived safety and community services such as schools and parks.

As the housing market evolves, the ranking underscores a persistent demand for suburban living despite affordability constraints in many top-rated communities. Real estate professionals say buyers weighing a move should consider local job access, transit options, school performance and long-term housing cost trends as part of any decision.