7 Affordable Suburbs With Great Quality of Life, According to Real Estate Agents

Many Americans enjoy suburban life for a combination of a slower pace of life and easy access to a major city. Due to the increasing cost of living, some suburbs can be costly — sometimes even more expensive than their closest city — while others offer an affordable place to live without having to sacrifice quality of life.

GOBankingRates spoke to real estate agents from across the U.S. to get their top picks for affordable suburbs that also provide a high quality of life — here’s where they suggest.

To put things into perspective, here are the most expensive suburbs across the U.S.

• Suburb of: Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Average home value: $578,165

Andrew Fortune, real estate brokerage owner and realtor at Great Colorado Homes, recommends first-time homebuyers look into Briargate.

“For first-time homebuyers, I recommend the lowest price per square foot available in a higher-rated school district,” he said. “These homes are good investments that can help project first-time homebuyers into a bigger house later when they outgrow their first home.

“Briargate is zoned to our most popular school district, Academy D20,” Fortune said. “We have watched many first-time buyers settle down there and then make lots of money on the appreciation of their home years later. This helps secure future homeownership for these young people.”

• Suburb of: Washington
• Average home value: $459,943

Kateryna Odarchenko, real estate agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, recommends Frederick for those who want to live near the capital. Its amenities include parks, shopping and dining options, easy access to healthcare facilities and more.

“Frederick offers numerous parks and green spaces, such as Baker Park, which includes a lake, walking trails and picnic areas,” Odarchenko said. “The city boasts several highly rated schools — Frederick Community College and proximity to the University of Maryland.

“Downtown Frederick and its surroundings have a plethora of restaurants, cafes, shops and malls, like the Francis Scott Key Mall,” she said. “Major medical centers, such as Frederick Health Hospital, ensure access to quality healthcare. The city is also known for its festivals, concerts and theater productions, such as those at the Maryland Ensemble Theatre.”

It’s also more affordable compared to other suburbs in the area, such as Rockville and Gaithersburg.

• Suburb of: Raleigh, North Carolina
• Average home value: $633,964

Rinal Patel, real estate agent and founder of We Buy Philly Home, recommends Cary for its parks and recreational options, excellent schools and low crime rate.

“Cary is a cost-effective choice for families because it has a 2% lower cost of living than the national average,” she said.

• Suburb of: Houston
• Average home value: $454,996

“Sugar Land, Texas, is a suburban haven with a strong sense of community,” Patel said. “[It] has been named one of the greatest places to live in Texas. It provides access to well-regarded schools along with a wide range of dining and retail opportunities.

“For individuals on a tight budget, Sugar Land is an excellent option because of its superior housing affordability when compared to nearby [cities] like Houston,” she said.

• Suburb of: Cincinnati
• Average home value: $397,879

“Slightly west of Cincinnati, this quaint suburb offers big-city conveniences in a small-town setting,” Patel said. “In addition to having highly regarded schools, it boasts a bustling downtown with independent stores and eateries.

“West Chester is an affordable alternative for families because it has a lower cost of living than the national average,” she said.

• Suburb of: Phoenix
• Average home value: $584,424

“Gilbert, Arizona, is a suburb with a robust economy and a low unemployment rate,” Patel said. “Along with a bustling city, it offers a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking and bicycle routes.

“Family-friendly housing is available in Gilbert, which has a lower cost of living than neighboring Arizonan communities,” she said.

• Suburb of: Nashville, Tennessee
• Average home value: $893,245

“This historic suburb offers a blend of contemporary conveniences and old-world charm,” Patel said. “It boasts highly regarded schools, a low crime rate and a vibrant sense of neighborhood.

“Franklin is a cost-effective choice for families because it also has a lower cost of living than the national average,” she said.

Average home values are sourced from Zillow and are accurate as of July 24, 2024.