The Best Cities Near Philadelphia in 2024 (2024)

America's birthplace, Philadelphia, is a great place to call home. With all of its amenities, it's a great choice for families with kids and college students alike, as well as professionals and retirees. But what if you’re not interested in living in the big city? What if you’d rather just live in close proximity in one of the cities near Philadelphia instead?

There are lots of reasons you might be more interested in living near Philly versus living in Philly. Perhaps you prefer a different cost of living or want to get away from the hustle and bustle — yet still want to be close enough to join in on the fun. Regardless of your reasons, there are plenty of great options to choose from around the City of Brotherly Love.

Let’s take a look.

The town of Gladwyne is located on the shore of the Schuylkill River and was originally established during the 1600s as the home of Quakers who migrated to the U.S. Over the years, people moved out of Philadelphia and began living in this quaint area that surrounds it.

Gladwyne has a colonial feel, due to the large residential property sizes and the farmlands that surround it. One thing to note: With those large properties come equally large price tags — the average home value here is over $1.4 million.

Blue Bell is a great choice for Pennsylvanians looking for a tranquil environment and luxury comforts. Situated north of West Philadelphia, this suburb features a mix of residential and office space. The town's historical center is theBlue Bell Inn, which was constructed in the 1700s. Before the passenger pigeon population died out, the area was named after a large flock of birds that visited the region. Despite the birds' disappearance, the area still has plenty of beautiful scenery to enjoy. One of the area's most popular attractions is theflyADVANCED Wings Flight School, which allows locals to take in panoramic views.

Some of the major companies that operate in the area include IBM, Unisys, and Aetna.

According to the median household income, which is over $206,800 yearly, residents of Devon make a pretty good living. In addition, nearly 30 percent of its residents have earned at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

With a population under 2,000, this suburb has a small-town vibe, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things to do in Devon, such as eat at Black Cat Cafe or take a break from work to get a massage. It also has a variety of attractions, such as the annual Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

Families looking at towns near Philadelphia will definitely want to take a peek at Devon, given its A+ public school rating and its ranking as the second best place to raise a family in Pennsylvania.

Collingswood is home to more than 14,000 residents. But the warm and welcoming atmosphere of this community is what sets it apart from other areas.

The town's shopping districts, including Downtown Haddon Avenue, are known for their variety of restaurants, services, and retail shops. This makes Collingswood a unique place to live, as well as a popular destination for visitors.

The town also has plenty of open spaces and parks. One is Knight Park, which is located in the center of the town and is surrounded by two county parks. There are also various playground areas, sports fields, and recreation trails — not to mention the variety of events and programs designed to keep residents and visitors entertained year-round.

With a population of around 10,000, Woodbury allows residents to enjoy the secluded feel of the area while only being about 20 minutes from Philly. The public schools in the township are nothing to sneeze at, and the majority of residents own their own homes. Though the average home value in Woodbury is nearly $83,000 more than in neighboring Philly, the overall cost of living in Philadelphia is about 9 percent higher. Not to mention, Niche ranks Woodbury No. 11 on their list of the best places to live in Gloucester County.

And while Woodbury is closest to Philadelphia, its New Jersey location means it’s also not far from other cities, like Jersey City (90 minutes driving) and New York City (just under 2 hours driving).

Since the 1600s, the Square Tavern has been a prominent part of the community of Newtown Square. Today, there are several historic mills and stone farmhouses along Crum Creek, which tell the story of the region's past industries.

If you’re a history buff, Newtown Square is the place to be! And if you’re really a history nerd, don’t forget to check out Colonial Pennsylvania Plantation, a living history experience where you can see what it would’ve been like to live on a farm in 18th-century Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Another can’t-miss museum? The Newtown Square Railroad Museum, a free (though donations are welcome), seasonally open freight museum located in a preserved freight station, where you can get a glimpse into locomotive history, from box cars to steam engines.

Many Philadelphia homebuyers are drawn to this area due to its university, Villanova University, which is known for its athletic program. Villanova is spread out across a large region, which almost touches the Schuylkill River.

The eastern part of the town is bordered by the Schuylkill Expressway, which makes it easy to travel to Philadelphia. If you're not into driving, public transportation is also available in Villanova.

If you're looking for a great location for shopping, then you can easily reach out to nearby towns near Philadelphia, such as Wayne or Bryn Mawr.

Having access to nearby parks, daycare centers, and schools is important for families with kids, right? Well, in Pennsauken, there are several parks and recreation facilities that are ideal for both adults and kids. And many local schools have an A-grade rating from Niche. In addition, there are plenty of great restaurants, bars, and cafes in Pennsauken.

With a population of just over 37,000, Pennsauken Township is a city close to Pennsylvania with a dense suburban feel to it. Reviews from residents on Niche describe it as a growing community and great, safe, and peaceful place to live.

Ardmore is located about 12 miles away from Philadelphia and is near Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Wynnewood. A suburb in the western part of Philadelphia, it's known for its bustling business district. In fact, for a long time, the area has been referred to as "The Main Line's Main Street."

Besides its comfortable neighborhoods, the area's job opportunities are also a major draw for people who are looking to relocate.

And the area has plenty of activities that residents can enjoy. One of the most prominent landmarks in the town is the Ardmore Music Hall, which is where people can watch performances by popular international artists. Some of the bands that have played there include The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Dave Matthews Band.

Just 10 miles outside of Philly, Bellmawr is one of the cities outside of Philadelphia with the quickest commutes — we’re talking a breezy 15-minute drive. The majority of residents here own their homes, and the area boasts above-average public schools. In fact, it ranks pretty well across the board, according to Niche, from family-friendliness to nightlife.

If you already have a family, plan on having children in the future, or are considering relocating to a neighborhood where there are good schools and more reasonable home prices, Bellmawr has got you covered!

And Philly isn’t the only city nearby. If you’re looking for a fun night away, Atlantic City is less than an hour drive. Whether you’re hitting the casinos or strolling the boardwalk, there’s something for everyone.