Whether you want to call it by its nickname, “The City of Brotherly Love,” or just by its name, Philadelphia is often considered one of the great destinations to relocate to in the North East. From its legendary food scene to its easy access to all Pennsylvania has to offer, it shouldn’t come as a surprise nearly 2 million people live in Philadelphia. If you’re considering buying a home in Philadelphia, know that the housing market is somewhat competitive. The median home sale price is $289,900, and the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Philadelphia is about $2,142.
If those prices don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. To help you find the right place to call home, we’ve compiled a list of the six best affordable Philadelphia suburbs to check out. And they’re all less than 45 minutes away from the city. You’ll still be close enough to Philadelphia to explore all the city has to offer without paying the price of living there.
With a median home sale price nearly $200K less than Philadelphia, Chester claims the first spot on our list of affordable Philadelphia suburbs. Just about a 25-minute drive away from Philadelphia, you won’t miss out on what the city has to offer. Chester is known for its historical landmarks and its role in the American Revolution. The city is also known for its steel industry and for being the birthplace of the American flag
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Upland comes in as the second best affordable suburb in Philadelphia. Just about 30 minutes from Philadelphia, you can head into the city in just a quick drive. Upland is known for its history and its many traditions. The community is home to several businesses and organizations, including the Upland Museum, the Upland Historical Society, and the Upland Chamber of Commerce. When living in this suburb of 3,400 people, you can also explore the charming downtown.
Linwood takes the third spot on our list, with a median home sale price of $115,000, and is only a 35-minute drive away. The suburb is just south of Twin Oaks and Upper Chichester. Even with a population of about 3,500, there are plenty of cool areas to explore in Linwood. Make sure to visit one of the many local shops and attractions if you move to the third most affordable suburb.
A bit more expensive than Linwood is none other than the borough of Collingdale. This area is home to the Collingdale Community Park and many local stores and shops. You can also attend one of the many community events that are held throughout the year or enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants.
About a 30-minute drive into the city, consider adding East Lansdowne to your list of Philadelphia suburbs to check out. With 3,000 people living in this affordable area, East Lansdowne is a small community with a long and rich history. While the commute by car into Philadelphia is around 30 minutes, the city is actually only 6 miles away – making this a great area to live in if you’re looking to be close to the city center.
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A recognizable Philadelphia suburb is Norwood, where the median home sale price is $294,750. Home to roughly 6,000 people, Norwood is a great suburb to consider buying a home in. Just minutes from I-95 and the Philadelphia International Airport, Norwood takes up 524.8 acres and includes 256 acres of water, such as Muckinipattis Creek and Darby Creek. From neighborhood parks to favorite local restaurants, you’ll never tire of exploring this great suburb.
Methodology: Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Philadelphia and under a 45-minute drive from downtown Philadelphia. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during July 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com during July 2022. Population data sourced from United States Census Bureau.
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Alison is part of the Content Marketing team as a Content Marketing Specialist. In her 4 years at Redfin, Alison has written a variety of articles ranging from home design tips to housing affordability. A California-native, Alison currently resides in Seattle where you can find her catching a concert or exploring farmers’ markets. Her dream home is a cottage-style house with a chef’s kitchen and a cozy room to store and play vinyl records.
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