Every state has a great suburb. Here are the 50 of the best from across the US

Samuel Stebbins | 24/7 Wall Street

In the latter half of the 20th century, the popularity of suburbs surged in the United States, and for many, suburban life came to mean the realization of the American Dream. For millions of Americans, the suburbs offered what life in the inner-cities and rural countryside could not – bigger, affordable homes, more space, increased privacy, and safer streets – without sacrificing access to jobs.

While there is no official government definition of a suburb, they are generally thought of as smaller communities located within commuting distance of a large city. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Housing Survey, just over half of all Americans say they live in a suburban neighborhood compared to 27% who live in an urban environment, and 21% who reside in rural areas.

24/7 Wall St. created a weighted index of 10 measures – including commute time, home size, crime rates, and income – to identify the best suburb in every state. Suburbs were ranked higher in this index if they performed especially well in these measures in comparison to the closest major city.

Americans often move to the suburbs to buy a home. Nationwide, about 64% of homes are occupied by their owner. Meanwhile, only two suburbs on this list have a homeownership below than the national rate – and the majority of them have homeownership rates above 90%.

Another primary reason many Americans choose to move out of cities and into suburban neighborhoods is lower crime and increased safety. While, overall, American cities are far safer today than they were in the 1990s, violent crime still tends to be more concentrated in urban areas. Indeed, many of the suburbs on this list are just outside some of the most dangerous cities in the country, including Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, and Oklahoma City.

As Americans, and millennials in particular, appear to be increasingly likely to choose suburban life, it is perhaps not surprising that many of the communities on this list have reported a population increase in the last year. Some of the suburbs on this list are located in a county with state-leading population growth since 2010.

Want great quality of life? These are the best cities to live in every state across US

If a city is more your speed: These are among the 50 best cities to live in the US

5,394

•Median household income: $149,307 (221% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 98%

•Avg. commute time: 30.3 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Birmingham-Hoover

2. Alaska: Chena Ridge

•Population: 6,155

•Median household income: $97,464 (28% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 79.1%

•Avg. commute time: 19.9 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Fairbanks

3. Arizona: Paradise Valley

•Population: 13,961

•Median household income: $175,673 (228% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 92.5%

•Avg. commute time: 23.1 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler

4. Arkansas: Maumelle

•Population: 17,967

•Median household income: $72,335 (65% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 72.3%

•Avg. commute time: 25.3 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway

5. California: Atherton

•Population: 7,182

•Median household income: $250,000+ (at least 272% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 93.4%

•Avg. commute time: 24.5 minutes

•Metropolitan area: San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley

6. Colorado: Cherry Hills Village

•Population: 6,542

•Median household income: $238,750 (265% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 95.7%

•Avg. commute time: 20.9 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Denver-Aurora-Lakewood

7. Connecticut: Old Greenwich

•Population: 6,860

•Median household income: $236,250 (220% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 85.8%

•Avg. commute time: 37.5 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk

8. Delaware: North Star

•Population: 7,390

•Median household income: $141,618 (125% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 95.2%

•Avg. commute time: 24.1 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington

9. Florida: Pinecrest

•Population: 19,441

•Median household income: $152,643 (200% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 77%

•Avg. commute time: 30.8 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach

10. Georgia: Berkeley Lake

•Population: 2,005

•Median household income: $125,592 (137% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 96.6%

•Avg. commute time: 32.2 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta

11. Hawaii: Maunawili

•Population: 2,020

•Median household income: $143,750 (92% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 89.8%

•Avg. commute time: 29.8 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Urban Honolulu

12. Idaho: Hidden Springs

•Population: 2,515

•Median household income: $118,519 (132% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 89.9%

•Avg. commute time: 22.8 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Boise City

The flip side: These are the worst cities to live in based on quality of life

13. Illinois: Winnetka

•Population: 12,504

•Median household income: $216,875 (254% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 88.6%

•Avg. commute time: 37 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

14. Indiana: Carmel

•Population: 88,595

•Median household income: $109,201 (109% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 77.6%

•Avg. commute time: 24.2 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson

15. Iowa: Robins

•Population: 3,380

•Median household income: $120,938 (114% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 96.8%

•Avg. commute time: 16.5 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Cedar Rapids

16. Kansas: Mission Hills

•Population: 3,578

•Median household income: $250,000+ (at least 351% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 98.8%

•Avg. commute time: 17.5 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Kansas City

17. Kentucky: Indian Hills

•Population: 2,958

•Median household income: $169,737 (265% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 98.5%

•Avg. commute time: 17.5 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Louisville/Jefferson County

18. Louisiana: Village St. George

•Population: 6,802

•Median household income: $79,524 (70% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 83.3%

•Avg. commute time: 22.6 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Baton Rouge

19. Maine: Cumberland Center

•Population: 2,492

•Median household income: $109,048 (106% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 74.7%

•Avg. commute time: 22.6 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Portland-South Portland

20. Maryland: Travilah

•Population: 12,204

•Median household income: $225,104 (185% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 93.8%

•Avg. commute time: 34.8 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

21. Massachusetts: Dover

•Population: 2,385

•Median household income: $175,461 (137% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 95.3%

•Avg. commute time: 31.1 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Boston-Cambridge-Newton

22. Michigan: Bloomfield Hills

•Population: 3,981

•Median household income: $186,563 (254% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 89.1%

•Avg. commute time: 22.5 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn

23. Minnesota: Deephaven

•Population: 3,818

•Median household income: $136,331 (108% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 91.1%

•Avg. commute time: 21.2 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington

24. Mississippi: Madison

•Population: 25,350

•Median household income: $103,121 (145% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 92%

•Avg. commute time: 22.2 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Jackson

25. Missouri: Ladue

•Population: 8,591

•Median household income: $203,250 (294% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 97.5%

•Avg. commute time: 17.5 minutes

•Metropolitan area: St. Louis

26. Montana: Frenchtown

•Population: 2,122

•Median household income: $59,052 (16% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 89.6%

•Avg. commute time: 27.3 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Missoula

27. Nebraska: Hickman

•Population: 2,079

•Median household income: $89,609 (58% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 79.2%

•Avg. commute time: 27.8 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Lincoln

28. Nevada: Spanish Springs

•Population: 16,458

•Median household income: $85,050 (53% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 85.9%

•Avg. commute time: 28.2 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Reno

29. New Hampshire: Nashua

•Population: 87,642

•Median household income: $70,316 (-1% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 54.1%

•Avg. commute time: 26.9 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Manchester-Nashua

30. New Jersey: Short Hills

•Population: 13,092

•Median household income: $250,000+ (at least 227% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 91.6%

•Avg. commute time: 42.6 minutes

•Metropolitan area: New York-Newark-Jersey City

31. New Mexico: Sandia Heights

•Population: 3,337

•Median household income: $101,395 (117% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 93.4%

•Avg. commute time: 22.9 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Albuquerque

32. New York: Brookville

•Population: 3,576

•Median household income: $250,000+ (at least 298% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 93.6%

•Avg. commute time: 31.7 minutes

•Metropolitan area: New York-Newark-Jersey City

33. North Carolina: Weddington

•Population: 10,388

•Median household income: $133,262 (165% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 98%

•Avg. commute time: 31 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia

34. North Dakota: Horace

•Population: 2,603

•Median household income: $110,870 (81% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 97.2%

•Avg. commute time: 21.1 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Fargo

35. Ohio: The Village Of Indian Hill

•Population: 5,853

•Median household income: $215,679 (312% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 96.6%

•Avg. commute time: 22.6 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Cincinnati

36. Oklahoma: Nichols Hills

•Population: 3,866

•Median household income: $144,833 (191% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 84.4%

•Avg. commute time: 14.6 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Oklahoma City

37. Oregon: Bull Mountain

•Population: 9,698

•Median household income: $108,324 (93% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 85.3%

•Avg. commute time: 28 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro

38. Pennsylvania: Slippery Rock University

•Population: 2,241

•Median household income: N/A ( higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 100%

•Avg. commute time: 14.6 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Pittsburgh

39. Rhode Island: Warwick

•Population: 81,218

•Median household income: $71,191 (17% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 71.8%

•Avg. commute time: 24.3 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Providence-Warwick

40. South Carolina: Blythewood

•Population: 2,864

•Median household income: $87,827 (80% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 91.8%

•Avg. commute time: 22.1 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Columbia

41. South Dakota: Colonial Pine Hills

•Population: 2,192

•Median household income: $90,833 (68% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 100%

•Avg. commute time: 19.8 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Rapid City

42. Tennessee: Belle Meade

•Population: 2,584

•Median household income: $195,000 (300% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 90.6%

•Avg. commute time: 20.3 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin

43. Texas: Piney Point Village

•Population: 3,358

•Median household income: $250,000+ (at least 338% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 99.2%

•Avg. commute time: 21 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land

44. Utah: Highland

•Population: 17,952

•Median household income: $128,938 (97% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 89%

•Avg. commute time: 21 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Provo-Orem

45. Vermont: South Burlington

•Population: 18,773

•Median household income: $66,197 (15% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 61.7%

•Avg. commute time: 16.3 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Burlington-South Burlington

46. Virginia: Great Falls

•Population: 15,589

•Median household income: $230,450 (235% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 96%

•Avg. commute time: 35.7 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

47. Washington: Clyde Hill

•Population: 3,231

•Median household income: $205,500 (211% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 91.1%

•Avg. commute time: 20.9 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue

48. West Virginia: Shannondale

•Population: 3,514

•Median household income: $72,143 (64% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 80.1%

•Avg. commute time: 47.4 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Washington-Arlington-Alexandria

49. Wisconsin: Merton

•Population: 3,574

•Median household income: $151,818 (167% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 96.1%

•Avg. commute time: 27.1 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Milwaukee-Waukesha

50. Wyoming: Ranchettes

•Population: 6,001

•Median household income: $94,509 (55% higher than state median)

•Homeownership rate: 93.1%

•Avg. commute time: 20.5 minutes

•Metropolitan area: Cheyenne

Methodology

To determine the best suburb in every state, 24/7 Wall St. constructed an index of 10 measures for places within metropolitan statistical areas in the United States.

We considered as suburbs all cities, towns, villages, boroughs, or Census-designated places with between 2,000 and 100,000 residents that fall within the boundaries of a metropolitan statistical area -- a Census-defined geography consisting of a core city and its adjacent communities, meant to approximate economic zones -- yet not be the principal city of the metropolitan area in which it is located. In states with more than three metropolitan statistical areas, the principal or core city of the metropolitan area must have at least 100,000 residents to be considered.

(1) Median home values, (2) the median number of rooms in occupied housing units, (3) unemployment rates for the population 16 years and over, (4) the average travel times to work, (5) median household incomes, (6) homeownership rates, and (7) poverty rates were included in the index at full weight. These data came from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey and are five-year estimates for 2013 to 2017.

Data on (8) the number of violent crimes reported per 100,000 residents and (9) the number of property crimes reported per 100,000 residents came from the FBI’s 2018 Uniform Crime Report and were included in the index at full weight.

Data on the (10) percentage of the population with access to places for physical activity in the county where the suburb is located came from the 2019 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a joint program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. This measure was included in the index at full weight.

To measure the quality-of-life advantages of living in the suburbs over living in the core city, each of these measures was also calculated as a percentage of its corresponding value in each suburb’s core city and included in the index at half weight.

24/7 Wall Street is a USA TODAY content partner offering financial news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.