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

1. Edina, Minnesota 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Edina, an affluent suburb of approximately 53,000 southwest of Minneapolis, is served by Edina Public Schools, consistently ranked among the top districts in Minnesota and nationally. The district reports graduation rates above 95%, with strong AP and IB participation. Edina High School regularly sends graduates to top universities nationwide.

The median home price is approximately $650,000. The district benefits from high per-pupil spending and reliable community funding support. Crime rates are among the lowest in Minnesota, making Edina a rare combination of elite academics and exceptional safety.

Edina suits families seeking a top-tier district with comprehensive academic, arts, and athletic programs in a stable, well-resourced community. The district's sustained excellence and community investment make it the strongest overall choice for school-focused families.

2. Plano, Texas 💎 BEST VALUE

Plano, a city of approximately 285,000 north of Dallas, is served by Plano ISD, which earns repeated national recognition for academic excellence. The district produces a high volume of National Merit Scholars and maintains strong graduation rates.

The median home price is approximately $520,000, and Texas has no state income tax, making Plano the clear value leader. Major corporate headquarters, including Toyota North America, anchor the local economy.

Plano delivers elite public school outcomes at roughly half the housing cost of coastal suburbs. The district operates multiple high schools that regularly place students at flagship state universities and selective private colleges, with unusually strong career-and-technical education programs. Combined with low crime and robust employment opportunities, Plano offers exceptional value for school-focused families.

3. Palo Alto, California

Palo Alto, population approximately 68,000 in Silicon Valley, is served by Palo Alto Unified School District, one of California's highest-performing districts. Palo Alto High School and Gunn High School are both nationally recognized, with extensive AP offerings and strong placement into top-tier universities, including nearby Stanford.

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

Palo Alto fits high-income tech families who prioritize one of the country's strongest public districts and can afford Silicon Valley housing. The academic intensity is well-documented and requires attention to student wellbeing.

4. Naperville, Illinois

Naperville, a city of approximately 150,000 west of Chicago, is served by two excellent districts: Naperville Community Unit School District 203 and Indian Prairie School District 204. Both rank among Illinois's best, with graduation rates above 95%.

The median home price is approximately $500,000, more accessible than coastal options. Naperville consistently earns recognition for low crime and high quality of life, with a vibrant downtown and strong community amenities.

Naperville suits families seeking top schools with genuine safety and Chicago access at a relatively reasonable Midwest price. The combination of strong academics, exceptional safety, and moderate housing costs makes Naperville one of the best overall values for school-focused families.

5. Princeton, New Jersey

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

The median home price is approximately $900,000. The university's presence supports an academically intense, highly educated community. 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 approximately 100,000 north of Indianapolis, is served by Carmel Clay Schools, the largest and one of the highest-rated districts in Indiana. Graduation rates exceed 95%, and the district is nationally competitive in both academics and athletics.

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

Carmel suits families seeking a nationally ranked district and a polished suburb at a Midwest price point.

7. Newton, Massachusetts

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

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

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

8. Lexington, Massachusetts

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

The median home price is approximately $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 approximately 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 approximately $540,000, more accessible than 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 area.

10. Cary, North Carolina

Cary, with approximately 180,000 residents in the Research Triangle, is served by Wake County Public Schools, which includes several highly rated and magnet schools serving the area. The district posts strong college-readiness metrics.

The median home price is approximately $550,000. The Research Triangle's tech and biotech economy supports an educated population. 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

Are these school districts really the best in the country? Yes, each district on this list consistently ranks among the top in their state and nationally based on test scores, graduation rates, and college readiness metrics from sources like GreatSchools.org and Niche.com. However, "best" varies by family priorities—some districts excel in STEM while others shine in arts or special education.

How are home prices determined for these areas? Median home prices are based on current market data from real estate platforms like Zillow and Redfin, ranging from approximately $470,000 to over $3 million depending on the suburb. Prices fluctuate by neighborhood, lot size, and proximity to top-rated schools.

Do these rankings include private or charter schools? No, this list focuses exclusively on public school districts. Private and charter schools are not factored into the rankings, though some areas may have highly regarded options outside the public system.

What about crime rates in these top school districts? Most of these suburbs have very low crime rates compared to national averages, with violent crime rates well below national benchmarks in cities like Edina, Naperville, and Carmel. However, no area is completely crime-free, so checking local police reports is recommended.

How do property taxes affect affordability in these places? Property taxes vary significantly by state—Texas has no state income tax but higher property taxes (often 2–3% of home value), while Minnesota and Massachusetts have moderate property taxes but higher income taxes. Always factor total tax burden into your budget.

Will these rankings still be accurate in 2027? School districts can change due to funding shifts, demographic changes, or policy updates. While these districts have strong track records, verify current data closer to your move date through state education department reports and independent school rating sites.

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.

Related on PULSE

• [Top 10 Best Places to Retire in Idaho](/knowledge/lv0117)
• [Top 10 Best Places to Retire in Nevada](/knowledge/lv0116)
• [Top 10 Best Places to Retire in North Carolina](/knowledge/lv0115)
• [Top 10 Best Places to Retire in South Carolina](/knowledge/lv0114)
• [Top 10 Best Places to Buy a Home in Utah](/knowledge/lv0113)
• [Top 10 Best Places to Buy a Home in Idaho](/knowledge/lv0112)

Sources

• GreatSchools.org — school and district ratings: https://www.greatschools.org/
• Niche.com — "Best School Districts in America" rankings: https://www.niche.com/k12/rankings/
• U.S. News & World Report — Best High Schools rankings: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools
• Minnesota Department of Education — district report cards: https://education.mn.gov/
• Texas Education Agency — school district data: https://tea.texas.gov/
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) — district data: https://nces.ed.gov/
• Zillow — median home-price data by city: https://www.zillow.com/
• Redfin — median home-price data by city: https://www.redfin.com/

People also search for: best places to live for top-rated school districts 2027 · top places to live for top-rated school districts 2027 · top rated places to live for top-rated school districts 2027 · top ranked places to live for top-rated school districts 2027 · highest rated places to live for top-rated school districts 2027 · places to live for top-rated school districts reviews 2027