20 Suburbs You Can Move To And What It'll Cost You Monthly

Dreaming of a fresh start in a place where balance and opportunity both coexist? These 20 American suburbs aren’t just visually appealing—they offer strong schools, low crime rates, growing economies, and the perfect lifestyle pace. Each comes with a price tag, and here’s what to expect.

Naperville, Illinois

Once named one of the best places to live in America by Money magazine, Naperville offers walkable parks, excellent public libraries, and easy access to Chicago for commuters. Families feel right at home in this suburb, which is also safer than 47% of cities across the U.S.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $6,800.

Alpharetta, Georgia

Called the “Technology City of the South,” Alpharetta is home to over 700 tech companies. Located 30 miles north of Atlanta, it mixes Southern charm with serious infrastructure. On a less technical note, Saturday farmers’ markets often spill over into music festivals here.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $6,300

The Woodlands, Texas

Surrounded by over 220 miles of biking and hiking trails, The Woodlands feels like a forested resort with easy access to Houston. Since ExxonMobil relocated its offices nearby in 2023, it has attracted families seeking safety and a state with no income tax.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $7,300

Cary, North Carolina

Both tech professionals and families are moving to Cary, where the population has more than doubled since 2000. It sits in the heart of the Research Triangle and is home to the SAS Institute, a global leader among privately owned software companies. Cary also offers scenic greenways and pleasantly mild winters.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $5,900

Overland Park, Kansas

Built for balance, Overland Park has the lowest unemployment rate in Kansas, at approximately 3.4%. You’ll find prairie-style homes and a massive park here. Good news for organic food lovers, Overland has one of the top-rated farmers’ markets in the U.S.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $5,400

Bellevue, Washington

Just a short distance from Seattle, Bellevue houses Microsoft’s Technology Center, which is known for its innovation. Tech meets tranquility here, one trail at a time. Median home prices here may hover near $1.5 million, but the city’s botanical gardens and cultural festivals help justify it.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $9,000

Franklin, Tennessee

Civil War history echoes through Franklin’s downtown, but it’s the booming music scene and historic mansions that steal the spotlight. A commute to Nashville is just 30 minutes from here. Add that to top schools and rolling hills, and you’ve got a hit.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $6,000

Scottsdale, Arizona

With more than 200 golf courses and an average of 330 sunny days per year, this desert suburb thrives on outdoor indulgence. It’s where Frank Lloyd Wright spent his winters for decades, and today, it draws those in search of high-end spa escapes and a sun-soaked, luxurious lifestyle.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $5,700

Brookline, Massachusetts

Just outside Boston, Brookline holds tight to its identity. The state’s oldest tree lives here, as did a young John F. Kennedy. Known for great schools and leafy sidewalks, it’s the kind of place where bumping into a Nobel laureate on your coffee run wouldn’t be all that surprising.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $4,500

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

In Chapel Hill, healthcare is top-notch, biotech thrives, and academic life hums around every corner. But nothing stirs locals like Tar Heels basketball, a legacy rooted deep in UNC’s iconic campus. Add a lively craft beer scene, and you’ve got a town that never loses its rhythm.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $4,900

Plano, Texas

Located just 20 minutes north of Dallas, Plano is home to over 30 major corporations, including Toyota and Frito-Lay. With a median household income over $95,000 and crime rates far below the national average, Plano offers a suburban space with an opportunity to grow.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $5,800

Newton, Massachusetts

As over 80% of locals hold college degrees, Newton blends New England history with high-octane academics. Shaped like a patchwork of villages, you’ll find leafy streets and cobblestone homes right next to top-tier schools here. Newton won’t make you choose.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $9,000

Ann Arbor, Michigan

In Ann Arbor, a major university, world-class healthcare, and Midwest ease come together in one vibrant place. The city’s Art Fair brings in more than 500,000 visitors every July, but quieter joys—like biking through leafy neighborhoods or browsing cozy bookstores—keep people coming back.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $5,000

Chanhassen, Minnesota

Don’t let the size fool you—Chanhassen packs a cultural punch. It’s where Prince built his Paisley Park compound and where snow days mean ice fishing, not just sledding. Top-ranked schools and over 44 parks make it a family favorite.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $3,700

Fishers, Indiana

What used to be a sleepy railroad town is now one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Midwest. Fishers advertises a tech-forward mindset, complete with smart traffic lights and fiber-optic internet. Families love its safety; Forbes named it one of America’s friendliest towns.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $4,000

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

History lingers in Mount Pleasant, where cobblestone paths meet tidal marshes. Just over the Ravenel Bridge from Charleston, it’s packed with antebellum homes and seafood shacks. Locals say the salt air and school quality are equally addictive. That’s probably why the town’s population has doubled since 2000.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $3,800

San Ramon, California

Gordon F. Smith’s Uncle/Wikimedia Commons

With Diablo Mountain views and a sleek $300 million city center, this East Bay suburb mixes luxury with convenience. San Ramon’s charm lies in its polished neighborhoods, scenic trails, and easy commutes, thanks to BART access that keeps city life within effortless reach.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $6,500

Boulder, Colorado

In Boulder, the trails are busy, and the ideas flow fast. This Rockies-base city is home to the University of Colorado and a booming startup culture. Grab a smoothie at one of many vegan cafes, and you’ll likely share space with a tech founder in bike shorts.

Estimated monthly salary needed: $5,500

Lake Oswego, Oregon

Wealth meets wilderness in Lake Oswego, where median home values top $900,000 and Douglas firs brush the skyline. Just 15 minutes from Portland, the town is surrounded by a 405-acre lake and offers top-rated schools. Artists, executives, and weekend kayakers coexist here.