Comparison tool · Updated June 2026
Compare Philadelphia Suburbs Side-by-Side
Neutral, fair-housing comparison of Main Line and Philadelphia-area suburbs — median home price, property tax rate, school district, and SEPTA commute time. Sourced from public records.
Key takeaways
- →Property tax rates on the Main Line range from ~1.4% to ~3.2% — a meaningful difference on a $750K home.
- →SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale line connects most Main Line suburbs to Center City in 20–45 minutes.
- →Lower Merion, Radnor, Tredyffrin/Easttown, and Great Valley are the four largest school districts on the Main Line.
- →Median home prices vary 3–4x across the suburbs of Philadelphia — from working-class boroughs to Main Line estates.
Pick up to four towns
Comparing Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore: Bryn Mawr has the lowest property tax rate (2.158%). Ardmore has the shortest commute to Center City Philadelphia (22 minutes). Ardmore has the lowest median home price ($595K).
| Metric | Wayne | Bryn Mawr | Ardmore |
|---|---|---|---|
| County | Delaware | Montgomery | Montgomery |
| Median home price | $825K | $760K | $595K |
| Property tax rate | 2.428% | 2.158% | 2.158% |
| School district | Radnor Township School District | Lower Merion School District | Lower Merion School District |
| Commute to Center City | 28 min | 25 min | 22 min |
Frequently asked questions
Answered by Saiid Zamani, licensed PA Realtor®.
Which Philadelphia suburb has the lowest property taxes?+
Among Main Line and Philadelphia-area suburbs, property tax rates typically range from about 1.4% to 3.2% of assessed value. Chester County towns like Malvern and Phoenixville tend to sit on the lower end, while parts of Delaware County and the Lower Merion school district sit on the higher end. Use the comparison table above to see current rates side-by-side, sourced from county assessment offices and school district millage rates.
Which Main Line suburb has the shortest commute to Center City Philadelphia?+
Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, and Wynnewood are typically the fastest commutes to Center City via SEPTA's Paoli/Thorndale line, generally 20–30 minutes. Wayne, Devon, and Berwyn are roughly 30–40 minutes. Driving times vary heavily with Schuylkill Expressway (I-76) congestion.
What school districts serve the Main Line?+
The Main Line is served by several Pennsylvania public school districts including Lower Merion (Ardmore, Bryn Mawr, Wynnewood, Gladwyne), Radnor Township (Wayne, Radnor), Tredyffrin/Easttown (Berwyn, Devon, Paoli), and Great Valley (Malvern). Each is rated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
How are median home prices calculated on this comparison?+
Median home price reflects Bright MLS aggregate data for closed residential sales in the suburb, dated on each suburb profile page. Median is used (not average) so a few luxury sales don't skew the number.
Is this comparison tool unbiased?+
Yes. The Suburbs of Philadelphia hub is editorially independent and funded by Saiid Zamani, a licensed PA Realtor® with Keller Williams Realty. Comparisons use only objective public data — taxes, schools, commute, and median price — and never subjective or coded language about who lives in a town. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Data sources
- Property tax rates: PA county assessment offices and school district millage records.
- School districts: Pennsylvania Department of Education.
- Median home prices: Bright MLS aggregate residential sales data.
- Commute times: SEPTA published schedules and PennDOT traffic data.
- Population & demographics: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS).
- Walkability: walkscore.com (third-party).
About the author
Saiid Zamani, PA Realtor®
Saiid Zamani is a licensed Pennsylvania Realtor® with Keller Williams Realty, serving Wayne, King of Prussia, Bryn Mawr, Ardmore, Malvern, Phoenixville, and the broader Main Line. Credentials: Realtor®, Certified RPR Trainer, SRS (Seller Representative Specialist), SFS (Sellers and Foreclosure Specialist). He edits and funds the Suburbs of Philadelphia hub as an independent, fair-housing-compliant resource.
Last updated June 2026. Comparisons use objective public data only. Equal Housing Opportunity —Saiid Zamani and the Suburbs of Philadelphia hub serve all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, familial status, or national origin.