The best suburb in the San Jose area, according to data—plus, see the rest of the top 16

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Best suburbs in San Jose

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 San Jose. 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 Jose.

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#16. Portola Valley, California

- Population: 4,397
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Fletcher Middle School (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+)

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

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#15. Ladera, California

- Population: 1,427
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $No data available

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Fletcher Middle School (grade A+), Las Lomitas Elementary School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+)

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

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#14. Fruitdale, California

- Population: 1,219
- Median home value: $1,349,200
- Median rental price: $2,615

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Discovery Charter School - Phoenix (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

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

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#13. Campbell, California

- Population: 43,464
- Median home value: $1,473,700
- Median rental price: $2,619

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

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

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#12. Cambrian Park, California

- Population: 3,551
- Median home value: $1,919,600
- Median rental price: $3,372

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Discovery Charter School - Phoenix (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

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

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#11. Lexington Hills, California

- Population: 2,587
- Median home value: $1,173,900
- Median rental price: $2,679

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Los Gatos High School (grade A+), Discovery Charter School - Phoenix (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+), Bellarmine College Preparatory (grade A+)

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

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#10. Fremont, California

- Population: 228,795
- Median home value: $1,231,500
- Median rental price: $2,824

- Top schools nearby: University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Mission San Jose High School (grade A)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), The Quarry Lane School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+)

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

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#9. Monte Sereno, California

- Population: 3,444
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,295

- Top schools nearby: Saratoga High School (grade A+), University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Los Gatos High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

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

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#8. Loyola, California

- Population: 3,818
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Los Altos High School (grade A+), Mountain View High School (grade A+), University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+)

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

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#7. Saratoga, California

- Population: 30,771
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Saratoga High School (grade A+), University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Lynbrook High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+)

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

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#6. West Menlo Park, California

- Population: 3,401
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,354

- Top schools nearby: Las Lomitas Elementary School (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+), Menlo-Atherton High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+)

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

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#5. Atherton, California

- Population: 7,124
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Las Lomitas Elementary School (grade A+), Bullis Charter School (grade A+), Menlo-Atherton High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Nueva School (grade A+), Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+)

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

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#4. Los Gatos, California

- Population: 33,093
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $2,870

- Top schools nearby: Saratoga High School (grade A+), University Preparatory Academy Charter School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: The Harker School (grade A+), Khan Lab School (grade A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (grade A+)

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

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#3. Los Altos, California

- Population: 31,133
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Los Altos High School (grade A+), Mountain View High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+), The Harker School (grade A+)

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

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#2. Menlo Park, California

- Population: 33,324
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $2,895

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Mission Early College High (grade A+), Carlmont 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: C−
--- Outdoor activities grade: A

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#1. Los Altos Hills, California

- Population: 8,441
- Median home value: $2,000,001
- Median rental price: $3,501

- Top schools nearby: Henry M. Gunn High School (grade A+), Los Altos High School (grade A+), Mountain View High School (grade A+)
- Top private schools nearby: Castilleja School (grade A+), Menlo School (grade A+), The Harker 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.