Urban vs. suburban communities: What’s the difference?

In the US, there is not a clear-cut distinction between urban and suburban areas. Because major cities and their surrounding communities vary so much in size and density, it’s tough to apply one measurable definition to all metropolitan areas. Both the Pew Research Center and the Census Bureau acknowledge this challenge, and even the U.S. government defines urban, suburban, and rural areas on the county level in a few different ways. 

Centrality and density are two common ways of distinguishing the two. Both are helpful measures to consider in your own housing search. 

Centrality

The first and most simplistic way to draw the line between urban and suburban areas is to dub the principal municipality in a metro area “the city” and call everything around it a suburb. 

In many areas, this makes sense. Take Austin, where the population within the city limits makes up almost half of the overall metropolitan area. There, you can expect a notable difference in housing options and public transit availability versus suburbs outside the city. 

But in places like the Bay Area—where the principal city (San Francisco) is only one tenth the population of the overall metropolitan area—using this definition would mean even people living in a single-family home in a residential neighborhood in San Francisco would be considered urban, while people living in a high-rise in downtown Oakland technically live in the suburbs. 

The same is true of Brooklyn—considered a suburb of Manhattan, but possessing a downtown of its own and is much denser than parts of Manhattan. In cases like these, communities that began as suburbs often develop into urban centers of their own, further blurring the line between suburban and urban communities.

Density

While not perfect, population density (the number of residents per square mile) tends to be a more accurate indicator of whether an area has the qualities we think of as either urban or suburban. Think about a block of high-rise apartment buildings versus a cul-de-sacs with a handful of homes: The population density of the former will be greater because it houses more people per square mile. 

The problem with density is there’s no set density level that consistently represents “urban” areas across the country. Consider: there are zip codes an hour from downtown New York City or downtown Chicago that are more densely populated than most of Portland, Oregon. 

The bottom line

Suburban areas originally developed as subsets of cities, but now suburban communities in America often exist independently of cities and are essentially a middle ground between rural and urban. For the purpose of deciding which type of community might be the best fit for you, the following differences between suburbs and urban centers will hold true almost anywhere. 

• Housing and overall cost of living in urban areas are more expensive than suburban areas.

• Living in the suburbs of any metropolitan area will afford you more space than living in its more urban parts. So even though you might get more space in downtown Portland than in Brooklyn, you can still expect to get more space in suburban Portland than in downtown Portland. 

• Job availability is higher in urban areas, meaning that suburban residents are more likely to have to commute. 

• Urban areas are more robust cultural hubs than suburban areas.

With that primer on the terms “urban” and “suburban,” how do you decide whether to live in the suburbs or live in an urban area? A lot of factors will go into this decision, and it’s definitely worth checking out some of the Pew Research Center’s studies to gain a better understanding of the cultural and demographic differences amongst Americans living in urban, suburban, and rural areas. When it comes to housing, you’ll want to focus specifically on cost, space, and location. 

Cost

While there’s a lot of variation (and a few rare exceptions) depending on your metropolitan area, housing costs are higher in urban areas. In a February 2018 nation-wide report, Zillow found that the median rent was $1,859 per month in big cities and $1,583 in suburbs. 

When factoring in mortgages, property taxes, and childcare, a 2017 joint study between Zillow and Care.com found that the cost of living in New York City was $71,237 higher annually than living in a surrounding suburb. However, that same study found that it was only $8,076 more (annually) to live in Boston than its respective suburbs. And in Philadelphia, it’s reportedly $13,849 less per year to live in the city center versus the suburbs. 

Space

Even in the rare cases where it’s more expensive to live in the suburbs than to live in urban areas, you’ll always be paying more per square foot in the city. 

If you’re someone who values privacy or really wants a garage, garden, or any other type of extra space, you’re much more likely to find (and afford) it in the suburbs.

On the other hand, if you enjoy proximity to other people and want to avoid the maintenance of a yard and vehicle, you might enjoy living in a city apartment. 

Location

If cost and space considerations have you leaning toward living in the suburbs, the location might be enough to bring you back to the city. Living in an urban area can offer the following benefits.

• A shorter commute: Because offices and businesses of all types are more often located in urban areas, you’ll be more likely to find housing near your job if you choose to live in a city. 

• Better public transit: Urban areas usually have better public transportation options. Many cities build their infrastructure to encourage their residents to travel by foot, bicycle, or bus, and in some cities you might not need a car at all. The suburbs, on the other hand, are typically created with cars in mind. 

• Proximity to cultural activities: One of the main draws to cities for residents and visitors alike is the abundance of museums, art galleries, shops, restaurants, and bars. You’ll likely find more cultural and social activities nearby if you choose to live in an urban area. 

• Greater population density: This one can be a pro or a con, depending on what you’re looking for. No matter where you are, you can pretty much bet an urban area is going to be less densely populated than a nearby suburban area. Denser and more diverse populations can offer a lot of benefits, including the creation of the aforementioned cultural and social activities, to urban dwellers. But the crowds can also make things tough if you’re someone who prefers more privacy and personal space.

The decision to live in the city or the suburbs is personal, and will come down to a few key factors: 

1. Your values. What do you care about most? Having a large living space or being close to cultural activities and entertainment? 

2. Your job. Where you have to work every day will influence your decision. If you have to report to an office in a city every day, a shorter commute may be an important advantage to city life. If you have more flexibility, you might choose to be closer to nature or to have more space. 

3. How much you can spend on rent. If you can’t afford to live in the city (yet), stick to the suburbs or to less expensive cities.  

Remember, there’s a lot of gray area in distinguishing urban and suburban communities. It’s more important to find a home that fits your lifestyle than to pick a side. 

Bungalow is the best way to live with roommates. Our homes are designed for shared living, located in the best neighborhoods, and take care of the details—like furnishing common spaces, scheduling monthly cleanings, and handling payments. Whether you already have roommates or are looking for new ones, there’s a Bungalow with your name on it. Find your Bungalow.