The best suburb in the Orlando area, according to data—plus, see the rest of the top 25

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Best suburbs in Orlando

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 Orlando. 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 Orlando.

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#25. Williamsburg, Florida

- Population: 6,908
- Median home value: $283,900
- Median rental price: $1,434

- Top schools nearby: NeoCity Academy (grade A+), Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+), Pine Castle Christian Academy (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: B−

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#24. Edgewood, Florida

- Population: 2,689
- Median home value: $369,400
- Median rental price: $1,285

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Boone High School (grade A), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+), Orangewood Christian School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#23. Forest City, Florida

- Population: 14,851
- Median home value: $350,200
- Median rental price: $1,570

- Top schools nearby: Choices in Learning Charter School (grade A), Crooms Academy of Information Technology (grade A), Wekiva Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), Central Florida Preparatory School (grade A+), The Geneva School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#22. Celebration, Florida

- Population: 12,030
- Median home value: $584,700
- Median rental price: $1,782

- Top schools nearby: Osceola County School for the Arts (grade A), Professional & Technical High School (grade A), New Dimensions High School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Osceola Christian Preparatory School (grade A), Heritage Christian School (grade A−)

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

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#21. Winter Garden, Florida

- Population: 46,518
- Median home value: $408,700
- Median rental price: $1,590

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Windermere High School (grade A+), West Orange High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Montverde Academy (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+)

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

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#20. Altamonte Springs, Florida

- Population: 45,772
- Median home value: $247,200
- Median rental price: $1,474

- Top schools nearby: Choices in Learning Charter School (grade A), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A), Sabal Point Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Mary Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#19. Tangerine, Florida

- Population: 3,870
- Median home value: $401,500
- Median rental price: $1,705

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A), Hope Charter School (grade A−)
- Top private schools nearby: Central Florida Preparatory School (grade A+), Mount Dora Christian Academy (grade A−), Christian Learning Academy (grade A−)

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

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#18. Conway, Florida

- Population: 13,519
- Median home value: $344,100
- Median rental price: $1,382

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Boone High School (grade A), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#17. Oakland, Florida

- Population: 3,488
- Median home value: $435,900
- Median rental price: $2,367

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Windermere High School (grade A+), West Orange High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Montverde Academy (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+)

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

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#16. Belle Isle, Florida

- Population: 7,020
- Median home value: $426,900
- Median rental price: $1,282

- Top schools nearby: NeoCity Academy (grade A+), Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Boone High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+), Pine Castle Christian Academy (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#15. Alafaya, Florida

- Population: 91,531
- Median home value: $361,800
- Median rental price: $1,768

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Timber Creek High School (grade A+), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#14. Windermere, Florida

- Population: 3,043
- Median home value: $748,700
- Median rental price: $3,375

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Windermere High School (grade A+), Olympia High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+), Central Florida Preparatory School (grade A+)

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

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#13. Hunters Creek, Florida

- Population: 19,895
- Median home value: $385,600
- Median rental price: $1,834

- Top schools nearby: NeoCity Academy (grade A+), Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The First Academy (grade A+), Pine Castle Christian Academy (grade A), Osceola Christian Preparatory School (grade A)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: B

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#12. Lake Butler, Florida

- Population: 17,765
- Median home value: $767,400
- Median rental price: $2,319

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Windermere High School (grade A+), Olympia High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Montverde Academy (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+)

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

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#11. Wekiwa Springs, Florida

- Population: 24,270
- Median home value: $384,600
- Median rental price: $1,777

- Top schools nearby: Choices in Learning Charter School (grade A), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A), Sabal Point Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Mary Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#10. Gotha, Florida

- Population: 1,640
- Median home value: $726,100
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Windermere High School (grade A+), Olympia High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Montverde Academy (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#9. Bay Hill, Florida

- Population: 4,363
- Median home value: $652,100
- Median rental price: $2,221

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Windermere High School (grade A+), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)

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

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#8. Doctor Phillips, Florida

- Population: 12,278
- Median home value: $458,800
- Median rental price: $2,274

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Windermere High School (grade A+), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)

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

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#7. Horizon West, Florida

- Population: 58,595
- Median home value: $459,500
- Median rental price: $2,172

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Windermere High School (grade A+), West Orange High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Windermere Preparatory School (grade A+), Montverde Academy (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: unavailable
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A−

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#6. Winter Springs, Florida

- Population: 38,205
- Median home value: $317,100
- Median rental price: $1,557

- Top schools nearby: Choices in Learning Charter School (grade A), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A), Oviedo High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Mary Preparatory School (grade A+)

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

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#5. Maitland, Florida

- Population: 19,266
- Median home value: $484,700
- Median rental price: $1,754

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Winter Park High School (grade A+), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Mary Preparatory School (grade A+)

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

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#4. Lake Mary, Florida

- Population: 16,636
- Median home value: $403,800
- Median rental price: $1,926

- Top schools nearby: Choices in Learning Charter School (grade A), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A), Heathrow Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Mary Preparatory School (grade A+)

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

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#3. Oviedo, Florida

- Population: 39,552
- Median home value: $397,300
- Median rental price: $1,902

- Top schools nearby: Hagerty High School (grade A), Choices in Learning Charter School (grade A), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Mary Preparatory School (grade A+), The Geneva School (grade A+)

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

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#2. Winter Park, Florida

- Population: 29,985
- Median home value: $590,200
- Median rental price: $1,634

- Top schools nearby: Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School (grade A+), Winter Park High School (grade A+), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)

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

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#1. Heathrow, Florida

- Population: 7,084
- Median home value: $509,200
- Median rental price: $1,805

- Top schools nearby: Choices in Learning Charter School (grade A), Seminole Science Charter School (grade A), Heathrow Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), Lake Mary Preparatory School (grade A+), Central Florida Preparatory School (grade A+)

- Overall Niche grade: A+
--- Weather grade: A
--- Cost of living grade: B−
--- 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.