Top 10 Best Places to Live for Top-Rated School Districts in 2027

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For families chasing the best public schools in 2027, the Tri-Cities/Okemos area around the University of Michigan and similar university towns lose out to suburban powerhouses, and Edina, Minnesota ranks as the Best Overall, with Edina Public Schools posting graduation rates above 95% and an average ACT well above the national norm, paired with very low crime.

The Best Value pick is Plano, Texas, where Plano ISD's nationally ranked schools come with a median home price near $520,000 and no state income tax. This list is for parents who will choose where to live primarily by school quality, spanning suburbs with median home prices from roughly $500,000 to over $1.5 million.

Every place is real, ranked using state test scores, graduation rates, college-readiness data, and district ratings.

1. Edina, Minnesota 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Edina, an affluent suburb of about 53,000 southwest of Minneapolis, is anchored by Edina Public Schools, consistently ranked among the best districts in Minnesota and the nation. Graduation rates exceed 95%, and a large share of students enroll in AP and IB coursework.

The median home price is around $650,000. Edina High School sends students to top universities at high rates, and the district is known for strong music, athletics, and STEM programs. Crime is low, and the community heavily funds its schools.

Edina is for families who want a top-tier district with a complete academic-and-activities program in a stable, well-resourced suburb. The district's per-pupil spending is high, and the community passes school funding measures reliably, which sustains small class sizes and deep elective offerings.

Edina also ranks among Minnesota's safest cities, so families get the rare pairing of elite academics and low crime in one address.

2. Plano, Texas 💎 BEST VALUE

Plano, a city of about 285,000 north of Dallas, is served by Plano ISD, repeatedly recognized nationally for academic excellence. The district posts strong graduation rates and a high volume of National Merit Scholars.

The median home price is near $520,000, and Texas has no state income tax, making Plano the value standout for families who want elite public schools without coastal-suburb pricing. Corporate headquarters (Toyota North America among them) anchor the local economy.

Plano is the value pick: nationally ranked schools, strong jobs, and no income tax at a price far below the Northeast or California districts on this list. The district runs multiple high schools that regularly send students to flagship state universities and selective private colleges, and its career-and-technical programs are unusually deep.

Combined with low crime and a strong corporate job base, Plano delivers elite-district outcomes without coastal-suburb costs.

3. Palo Alto, California

Palo Alto, population about 68,000 in Silicon Valley, is served by the Palo Alto Unified School District, one of California's highest-performing, with strong state test scores and college placement to top universities, including nearby Stanford.

The trade-off is extreme cost: the median home price exceeds $3 million in many neighborhoods. The district benefits from highly educated, heavily involved families and substantial local funding.

Palo Alto fits high-income tech families who want one of the country's strongest public districts and can afford Silicon Valley housing. The district's two comprehensive high schools, Palo Alto High and Gunn, are both nationally recognized, with extensive AP offerings and strong placement into top-tier universities.

The trade-off is not only the housing price but also the academic intensity, which is well documented and demands attention to student wellbeing.

4. Naperville, Illinois

Naperville, a city of about 150,000 west of Chicago, is split between two excellent districts, Naperville 203 and Indian Prairie 204, both ranked among Illinois's best, with graduation rates above 95%.

The median home price is around $500,000, more accessible than the coastal options. Naperville also offers very low crime and a strong downtown, making it a frequent "best places to live" honoree.

Naperville is for families who want top schools plus genuine safety and Chicago access at a relatively reasonable Midwest price. Between the two districts, Naperville fields several high schools that consistently rank among Illinois's best on state assessments and AP participation.

The combination of strong academics, a top-five national safety record, and a price well below the coasts makes Naperville one of the best overall values for school-focused families.

5. Princeton, New Jersey

Princeton, a community of about 30,000 anchored by Princeton University, is served by Princeton Public Schools, among New Jersey's top districts, with high standardized scores and strong college placement.

The median home price is around $900,000. The university's presence supports an academically intense, highly educated community, and the district offers extensive AP and arts programming.

Princeton suits academically focused families who want a small, education-saturated town within reach of New York and Philadelphia.

6. Carmel, Indiana

Carmel, a city of about 100,000 north of Indianapolis, is served by Carmel Clay Schools, the largest and one of the highest-rated districts in Indiana, with graduation rates above 95% and nationally competitive academics and athletics.

The median home price is around $470,000, among the most affordable on this list. Carmel also ranks high for safety and quality of life, with a walkable arts district.

Carmel is for families who want a nationally ranked district and a polished suburb at a Midwest price point.

7. Newton, Massachusetts

Newton, a city of about 88,000 bordering Boston, is served by Newton Public Schools, among the strongest districts in Massachusetts (a state that leads national education rankings). Newton North and Newton South high schools post strong scores and college placement.

The median home price is around $1.3 million. The district offers deep academic and extracurricular options, and Newton is consistently rated a top place to live.

Newton fits families who want elite public schools with immediate Boston access and can absorb Greater Boston housing costs.

8. Lexington, Massachusetts

Lexington, population about 34,000 northwest of Boston, is served by Lexington Public Schools, repeatedly ranked among the very best in Massachusetts, with exceptional standardized scores and college placement to top-tier universities.

The median home price is around $1.4 million. The community is known for academic intensity, high parental involvement, and strong AP participation.

Lexington is for families who prioritize academic rigor above almost all else and can handle premium suburban Boston pricing.

9. Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Eden Prairie, a suburb of about 65,000 in the Minneapolis metro, is served by Eden Prairie Schools, another top Minnesota district with strong graduation rates and broad AP/IB offerings.

The median home price is around $540,000, more accessible than the coastal options while delivering similar academic quality. The city pairs strong schools with parks, lakes, and low crime.

Eden Prairie suits families who want Edina-level school quality at a somewhat lower cost in the same metro.

10. Cary, North Carolina

Cary, with about 180,000 residents in the Research Triangle, is served by Wake County Public Schools, with several highly rated and magnet schools serving the area, plus strong college-readiness metrics.

The median home price is around $550,000. The Research Triangle's tech-and-biotech economy supports an educated population, and Cary ranks high for both safety and schools.

Cary fits families wanting strong schools, a growing job market, and four-season weather at a price below the Northeast and California.

How to Choose

• Verify the assigned school, not just the district. Even top districts vary school to school; confirm the specific elementary, middle, and high school your address feeds into before buying.
• Look at college-readiness data, not just ratings. AP/IB participation, average ACT/SAT, and graduation rates tell you more about academic depth than a single star rating.
• Weigh cost against quality. Plano, Carmel, Naperville, and Eden Prairie deliver top-ranked schools at roughly half the housing cost of Palo Alto, Lexington, or Newton.
• Factor state tax and funding. Texas's no-income-tax suburbs and Minnesota's well-funded districts offer different financial profiles; model your own budget.
• Consider fit, not just rank. Some districts (Lexington, Palo Alto) are academically intense; others balance academics with athletics and arts. Match the culture to your child.

FAQ

Which place has the best schools overall for 2027? Edina, Minnesota, leads for its combination of a top-ranked district (graduation rates above 95%), broad AP/IB offerings, and a stable, well-funded community, at a more accessible price than the coastal options. Lexington and Palo Alto rival it academically but cost far more.

Can I get top schools without paying over $1 million for a home? Yes. Plano (~$520,000), Carmel (~$470,000), Naperville (~$500,000), and Eden Prairie (~$540,000) all deliver nationally ranked public districts at roughly half the cost of Lexington, Newton, or Palo Alto.

Do I need to live in the most expensive suburb to get good schools? No. School quality correlates with funding and community involvement, but several Midwest and Texas suburbs match coastal districts on test scores and graduation rates at much lower housing costs.

How do I confirm a school's quality before moving? Check state report-card data for the specific school, review GreatSchools and Niche ratings, look at AP/IB participation and graduation rates, and if possible visit the school. District-wide averages can hide variation between individual schools.

Bottom Line

For 2027, Edina, Minnesota is the Best Overall place to live for top schools, pairing a nationally ranked district with low crime and a complete academic program. Plano, Texas is the Best Value, delivering elite Plano ISD schools and no state income tax at a median home price near $520,000.

Always verify the specific assigned school before buying into any district.

Sources

• GreatSchools.org — school and district ratings
• Niche.com — "Best School Districts in America" rankings
• U.S. News & World Report — Best High Schools rankings
• State departments of education — district report cards and graduation rates
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) — district data
• Zillow / Redfin — median home-price data by city
• College Board — AP participation and SAT data