4 Delco Towns Among PA's Best Places To Live, New List Says

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Four Delaware County communities are among the nation's "best" places to live, according to new rankings from Niche.

Now in its 12th year, Niche's 2026 Best Places to Live list graded more than 20,000 communities based on schools, cost of living, economic opportunity and a range of other factors.

Ardmore, which spans Delaware and Montgomery counties, topped the Pennsylvania rankings while making Niche's national top 10.

Here are the highest-ranking Delco communities on Niche's list:

• Ardmore: first in PA, seventh in the U.S.
• Swarthmore: fifth in PA, 28th in the U.S.
• Rose Valley: 11th in PA, 161st in the U.S.
• Nether Providence Township: 21st in PA, 303rd in the U.S.

Niche generates its ratings by blending public data and reviews from residents.

• Related: These Are The 25 Best Places To Live In PA, New Ranking Says

"This year’s top-ranked places are smaller, walkable communities within major metro areas, giving residents access to jobs, amenities, and transit while maintaining connected neighborhoods," Niche said in a news release. "Many have populations under 15,000, as demand grows for places that balance urban convenience with neighborhood livability."

Ardmore, Swarthmore, Rose Valley and Nether Providence each received an A-plus from Niche, which also graded communities across 12 sub-categories.

These communities received high marks for public housing, quality for families, health and fitness, housing, outdoor activities, and commute.

But no place is perfect. Here are their lowest grades from Niche:

• Ardmore: B-minus for cost of living, weather.
• Swarthmore: B-minus for cost of living, weather.
• Rose Valley: C-plus for diversity.
• Nether Providence Township: B-minus for cost of living.

Niche says the 2026 rankings showed shifting priorities for buyers and renters, including "affordability pressures." Many of the highest-rated communities were also near major economic hubs, where robust job markets and high-quality public schools continue to attract residents, according to the web platform.

"People are increasingly looking for neighborhoods that offer both access to diverse career opportunities and a strong sense of community," said Niche Economist Allison Shrivastava. “These smaller, walkable communities provide the mix of amenities and livability that families and young professionals both value.”

Click here for Niche's 2026 Best Places to Live rankings.