Best suburbs in Miami – chosen as a result of multiple factors including median home prices for mortgage insights
The GI Bill of Rights, Ike’s interstate system, suburban development, and the growing affordability of cars allowed the suburbs to flourish throughout the mid-20th century. During this era, a new American Dream was established: one with single-family homes, white picket fences, and lush green lawns.
Today, however, the traditional suburb may no longer cater to what 79% of Americans want: walkability. Younger people are especially attracted to neighborhoods where stores, restaurants, and other amenities are a short walk away, according to a National Association of Realtors survey released in 2023. But a good location comes with a cost.
A Redfin analysis showed homes in 2019 in walkable areas sold for almost 25% more than homes without the same walkability, equivalent to nearly $78,000 more in the national average. Some suburbs offer the amenities of city life, whether through easy transit to big cities (such as Wilmette, Illinois, with easy proximity to Chicago), or college-town amenities such as those found in Claremont, California.
What individual families and people look for in a suburb will vary, of course, with some prioritizing quiet and extra space, even if that means driving more often.
Stacker used data from Niche to examine the best suburbs in Miami. Niche ranked suburbs across the U.S. based on several factors, including diversity, the cost of living, the share of the population with college degrees, and the quality of schools and housing.
Read on to see the highest-ranked suburbs in Miami.
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#14. Doral, Florida
– Population: 74,891
– Median home value: $468,800
– Median rental price: $2,393
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Gulliver Preparatory School (grade A+), Riviera Schools (grade A+), Belen Jesuit Preparatory School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: C
— Outdoor activities grade: A
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#13. Ojus, Florida
– Population: 16,450
– Median home value: $288,000
– Median rental price: $1,452
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Miami Country Day School (grade A+), Posnack Jewish Day School (grade A+), Scheck Hillel Community School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#12. Glenvar Heights, Florida
– Population: 17,902
– Median home value: $474,700
– Median rental price: $1,846
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Ransom Everglades School (grade A+), Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Palmer Trinity School (grade A+)
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– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#11. Sunny Isles Beach, Florida
– Population: 22,202
– Median home value: $424,300
– Median rental price: $1,839
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Miami Country Day School (grade A+), Scheck Hillel Community School (grade A+), Monsignor Edward Pace High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#10. Bay Harbor Islands, Florida
– Population: 5,843
– Median home value: $480,600
– Median rental price: $2,250
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Miami Country Day School (grade A+), Scheck Hillel Community School (grade A+), The Cushman School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
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#9. Bal Harbour, Florida
– Population: 3,035
– Median home value: $1,608,700
– Median rental price: $2,371
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Miami Country Day School (grade A+), Scheck Hillel Community School (grade A+), Hebrew Academy RASG (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#8. Surfside, Florida
– Population: 5,625
– Median home value: $699,300
– Median rental price: $1,670
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Miami Country Day School (grade A+), Scheck Hillel Community School (grade A+), The Cushman School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#7. South Miami, Florida
– Population: 11,944
– Median home value: $692,400
– Median rental price: $1,564
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Ransom Everglades School (grade A+), Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Palmer Trinity School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#6. Miami Shores, Florida
– Population: 11,638
– Median home value: $682,100
– Median rental price: $1,997
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Miami Country Day School (grade A+), Scheck Hillel Community School (grade A+), The Cushman School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#5. Aventura, Florida
– Population: 39,621
– Median home value: $396,900
– Median rental price: $2,271
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Miami Country Day School (grade A+), Scheck Hillel Community School (grade A+), St. Thomas Aquinas High School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C
— Outdoor activities grade: A
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#4. Key Biscayne, Florida
– Population: 14,572
– Median home value: $1,331,900
– Median rental price: $3,501
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Immaculata-La Salle High School (grade A+), Lincoln-Marti Schools # 10 (grade B+), Brito Miami Private School (grade B)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A−
#3. Palmetto Bay, Florida
– Population: 24,267
– Median home value: $715,700
– Median rental price: $1,728
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Ransom Everglades School (grade A+), Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Palmer Trinity School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: B−
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#2. Pinecrest, Florida
– Population: 18,279
– Median home value: $1,129,900
– Median rental price: $1,800
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Ransom Everglades School (grade A+), Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Palmer Trinity School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A
#1. Coral Gables, Florida
– Population: 49,696
– Median home value: $952,000
– Median rental price: $1,954
– Top schools nearby: School for Advanced Studies – Homestead (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – Wolfson (grade A+), School for Advanced Studies – North (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Ransom Everglades School (grade A+), Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart (grade A+), Palmer Trinity School (grade A+)
– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C+
— Outdoor activities grade: A
This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 67 metros.
By Stacker
hey, so i’m thinking about moving to Miami Shores. Is it a good place for someone just starting out? Saw it’s #6 on the list. Any insights, Jon Dykstra?
Miami Shores is great! Friendly community and it’s pretty close to downtown. You’ll love it.
I’ve been looking into Pinecrest for retirement. The calm and upscale ambiance seems perfect. Would appreciate more details on the amenities and lifestyle there.
Surfside at #8, really? Been there once and it wasn’t that special. Maybe I missed the secret magic spot or something, who knows. lol
honestly, how can Coral Gables be #1? Been to places way better in terms of everything. it’s all just hype.
Interesting list, Jon Dykstra. Curious about Bay Harbor Islands. Is it family-friendly? Thinking about settling down in a nice suburb.
always dreamed about living in miami, this list is making me excited haha. palmetto bay sounds nice, peaceful vibes and all.
Could you provide more insight into Key Biscayne’s sustainability initiatives? Very interested in eco-friendly communities.
None of these places compare to how Miami used to be. It’s all so commercialized now. Miss the good old days.
I’ve noticed Coral Gables ranking high in several lists. It must have its charms, though the cost of living is presumably steep.
hey guys, what’s the vibe like in aventura? it’s #5 here but idk, is it chill or too busy? kinda wanna place thats laid back but not boring, ya know?
Your information is a joke. Your data must be from 20 years ago! The schools you list are nowhere near these cities. You should be working at Burger King!