Suburbs of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Suburbs · PA

A neutral guide to buying, selling, and living in the Philadelphia suburbs.

Town profiles, comparison tools, plain-English guides, market data, and a glossary — built on objective data and fair-housing principles. No paywalls. No upsell.

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Featured suburbs

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Collegeville

Montgomery Co.
Growing Route 29 corridor town anchored by Ursinus College, Providence Town Center, and the Perkiomen Trail.
Median$475K
Commute45 min

King of Prussia

Montgomery Co.
Major employment and retail hub anchored by the King of Prussia Mall, with easy access to I-76, I-476, and the PA Turnpike.
Median$545K
Commute35 min

Malvern

Chester Co.
Malvern Borough has a historic walkable downtown with restaurants and shops; the surrounding area is in the Great Valley School District.
Median$685K
Commute42 min

Newtown Square

Delaware Co.
Western Delaware County township with higher median home prices, home to Aronimink Golf Club and SAP North America's campus, with quick access to West Chester Pike and the Blue Route.
Median$720K
Commute35 min

Norristown

Montgomery Co.
Montgomery County seat served by two SEPTA Regional Rail lines (Manayunk/Norristown and Lansdale/Doylestown), with a walkable Main Street and some of the metro's lower median home prices.
Median$235K
Commute40 min

Phoenixville

Chester Co.
Reinvented mill town along the Schuylkill with a thriving Bridge Street, breweries, and the historic Colonial Theatre.
Median$425K
Commute50 min

West Chester

Chester Co.
Walkable historic borough and county seat with a lively downtown, university energy, and award-winning schools.
Median$495K
Commute55 min

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Selling your home

Pricing, prep, costs, and the PA closing process — every step explained.

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Buying your home

Pre-approval, offers, contingencies, and PA-specific closing costs.

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Compare suburbs

Side-by-side taxes, schools, commute, and prices for up to 4 towns.

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Common questions

How much does it cost to sell a house in Pennsylvania?

Total seller costs in PA typically run 7–8% of the sale price. That includes negotiable agent commission (commonly 5–6%), the seller's half of the realty transfer tax (1%), title and settlement fees ($300–$700), and any mortgage payoff. Get a written net sheet from your agent for your specific situation.

What is the property tax rate in the Philadelphia suburbs?

Property tax rates vary by township and school district. In the Main Line suburbs, effective rates commonly fall between roughly 1.8% (Tredyffrin-Easttown / Great Valley) and 2.8% (some Delaware County townships). Always confirm with the most recent county and school district millage rates.

How long does it take to close on a home in PA?

Most financed transactions close in 30–45 days from accepted offer. Cash transactions can close in 14–21 days. Settlement happens at a title company.

Do I need a buyer's agent?

You are not legally required to use one, but a buyer's agent represents your interests in negotiation, manages contingencies and timelines, and helps you avoid contractual mistakes. Recent NAR rule changes require buyers to sign a written agent agreement before touring, so understand the compensation terms upfront.

What is the realty transfer tax in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania charges a 1% state realty transfer tax plus a 1% local tax (typically 2% total), customarily split 50/50 between buyer and seller. Some municipalities have different local rates.

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