The best suburb in the Miami area, according to data—plus, see the rest of the top 14

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Best suburbs in Miami

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−

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#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+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A+
--- Cost of living grade: C
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#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−

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#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−

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#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−

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#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

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#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

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#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−

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#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

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#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

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#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.