Best Bay Area suburbs

Stacker
·9 min read

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.

Three Bay Area high schools make US News’ top 10 in California

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 San Francisco. 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 San Francisco.

Young happy women shopping for vegetables and fruits.
Young happy women shopping for vegetables and fruits.
NDAB Creativity // Shutterstock

#20. Marin City, California

– Population: 3,419
– Median home value: $930,600
– Median rental price: $1,915

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), The New School of San Francisco (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Francisco University High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A−
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: D
— Outdoor activities grade: A−

Couple in business clothes leaving home for work.
Couple in business clothes leaving home for work.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#19. Sleepy Hollow, California

– Population: 2,778
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,153

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), Sir Francis Drake High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Domenico School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Mother and children playing basketball on driveway.
Mother and children playing basketball on driveway.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#18. Millbrae, California

– Population: 22,825
– Median home value: $1,874,100
– Median rental price: $3,322

– Top schools nearby: Mills High School (grade A+), Burlingame High School (grade A+), The New School of San Francisco (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Crystal Springs Uplands School (grade A+), Lick-Wilmerding High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Customers enjoying meals in busy restaurant.
Customers enjoying meals in busy restaurant.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#17. Sausalito, California

– Population: 7,233
– Median home value: $1,735,000
– Median rental price: $3,345

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), The New School of San Francisco (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), Urban School of San Francisco (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Female bakery stall owner at a farmers market.
Female bakery stall owner at a farmers market.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#16. Tiburon, California

– Population: 9,115
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,490

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), Strawberry Point Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Francisco University High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Woman pushing child on swing on playground.
Woman pushing child on swing on playground.
oneinchpunch // Shutterstock

#15. Strawberry, California

– Population: 5,632
– Median home value: $1,925,000
– Median rental price: $2,857

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), The New School of San Francisco (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Francisco University High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter while walking outside.
Father giving piggyback ride to his daughter while walking outside.
Akarawut // Shutterstock

#14. Kentfield, California

– Population: 7,410
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $2,741

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Ross Elementary School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Francisco University High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Young man and little girl laughing with ice cream.
Young man and little girl laughing with ice cream.
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV // Shutterstock

#13. Ross, California

– Population: 2,537
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,108

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Ross Elementary School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Domenico School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Happy family with child and shopping cart buying food at grocery store.
Happy family with child and shopping cart buying food at grocery store.
Ground Picture // Shutterstock

#12. Fairfax, California

– Population: 7,567
– Median home value: $1,006,100
– Median rental price: $2,293

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), Sir Francis Drake High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Domenico School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A−

A group of young children getting on the schoolbus.
A group of young children getting on the schoolbus.
Stuart Monk // Shutterstock

#11. Belvedere, California

– Population: 2,327
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,501

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), Sir Francis Drake High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Bay School of San Francisco (grade A+), Marin Catholic High School (grade A)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
Boy learning to ride a bicycle with his father in park.
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#10. San Mateo, California

– Population: 104,165
– Median home value: $1,508,900
– Median rental price: $2,971

– Top schools nearby: Aragon High School (grade A+), Carlmont High School (grade A+), San Mateo High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Crystal Springs Uplands School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
Two woman in small town downtown laughing.
Laura Beach // Shutterstock

#9. Mill Valley, California

– Population: 14,199
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $2,988

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), The New School of San Francisco (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Francisco University High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
Staff serving a customer in a busy coffee shop.
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#8. Hillsborough, California

– Population: 11,258
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $3,501

– Top schools nearby: Aragon High School (grade A+), Burlingame High School (grade A+), San Mateo High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Crystal Springs Uplands School (grade A+), Lick-Wilmerding High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
Shot of a smiling senior couple taking together in a cafe.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock

#7. Larkspur, California

– Population: 12,969
– Median home value: $1,691,900
– Median rental price: $2,714

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), Neil Cummins Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Francisco University High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

A family playing soccer together.
A family playing soccer together.
Robert Kneschke // Shutterstock

#6. San Anselmo, California

– Population: 12,761
– Median home value: $1,473,100
– Median rental price: $2,459

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), Sir Francis Drake High School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Domenico School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Happy young family sitting in a park.
Happy young family sitting in a park.
Mila Supinskaya Glashchenko // Shutterstock

#5. San Carlos, California

– Population: 30,490
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $2,759

– Top schools nearby: Carlmont High School (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+), Mariposa (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Crystal Springs Uplands School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A+

Happy family in backyard with dog.
Happy family in backyard with dog.
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#4. Corte Madera, California

– Population: 10,155
– Median home value: $1,640,900
– Median rental price: $3,361

– Top schools nearby: Redwood High School (grade A+), Tamalpais High School (grade A+), Strawberry Point Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: Marin Academy (grade A+), The Branson School (grade A+), San Francisco University High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A
— Cost of living grade: D+
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
Back view of a little girl on fathers shoulders and mom walking alongside.
F8 studio // Shutterstock

#3. Burlingame, California

– Population: 30,995
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $2,591

– Top schools nearby: Mills High School (grade A+), Burlingame High School (grade A+), The New School of San Francisco (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Crystal Springs Uplands School (grade A+), Lick-Wilmerding High School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
Little boy running with his dog on a leash.
FamVeld // Shutterstock

#2. Belmont, California

– Population: 27,820
– Median home value: $2,000,001
– Median rental price: $2,842

– Top schools nearby: Carlmont High School (grade A+), Mariposa (grade A), Hoover Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Crystal Springs Uplands School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: C−
— Outdoor activities grade: A

Senior couple on walk with a dog.
Senior couple on walk with a dog.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A // Shutterstock

#1. Foster City, California

– Population: 33,215
– Median home value: $1,673,100
– Median rental price: $3,501

– Top schools nearby: Carlmont High School (grade A+), San Mateo High School (grade A+), Hillsdale High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Crystal Springs Uplands School (grade A+)

– Overall Niche grade: A+
— Weather grade: A+
— Cost of living grade: D+
— 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.

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