Media, PA — "Everybody's Hometown" and the heart of Delaware County.
Media, PA Relocation Guide — And Whether the Move Makes Sense For You.
I'm Johnny Durnell. I sell real estate in Media, PA — and I've watched the migration from New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut accelerate every single year. This guide covers the real numbers: taxes, schools, neighborhoods, commute, and cost of living. No fluff. Just what you need to decide if Media is the move.
Who's Actually Making This Move (And Why It's Accelerating)
The Family Upgrader
- Origin
- NJ, NY, CT
- Age
- 35–50
- Budget
- $450K–$700K
- Driver
- Lower property taxes + Rose Tree Media schools
"Saving $4,900–$8,000/year on taxes vs. NJ — every year."
The Remote Worker
- Origin
- NY, CA, MA
- Age
- 28–40
- Budget
- $350K–$550K
- Driver
- Walkable downtown, restaurants, community
"Work from anywhere. Walk to dinner on State Street."
The Empty Nester
- Origin
- NY, NJ, CT
- Age
- 55–70
- Budget
- $400K–$700K
- Driver
- Tax relief, walkability, social scene
"Fixed income goes further when your tax bill drops $5K a year."
If you see yourself in any of these profiles — keep reading. The numbers get interesting fast.
The Numbers Nobody Puts On One Page
Here's what actually changes when you move from NJ or NY to Media, PA.
| Category | Your State (NJ) | Media, PA |
|---|---|---|
| Average Property Tax Rate | 2.49% | ~1.60% |
| Annual Tax on $500K Home | ~$12,450 | ~$8,000 avg |
| State Income Tax | 5.53–10.75% | 3.07% flat |
| Median Home Price | $520K | $380K–$520K |
| SEPTA Commute to Philly | N/A | 25–35 min |
| Avg Sq Ft at Median Price | ~1,600 sf | ~2,000–2,600 sf |
Tax figures are averages and vary by municipality. Always verify current rates for specific properties. This is not financial or tax advice.
Media & The Surrounding Towns People Are Actually Choosing.
Media is the social, walkable hub — and here's how it compares to nearby towns on price, schools, and vibe.
Media Borough
"Everybody's Hometown."
- Price
- $400K–$750K
- District
- Rose Tree Media
- Vibe
- Walkable, social, restaurant-driven
'Dining Under the Stars' every Wednesday. Trolley line. State Street is the heartbeat of Delco.
Rose Valley
"Tiny, leafy, and historic."
- Price
- $550K–$1.2M
- District
- Rose Tree Media
- Vibe
- Wooded, arts-and-crafts homes, quiet
Hedgerow Theatre. Old-growth trees. Walkable to Media in 10 minutes.
Upper Providence
"Space and schools, minutes from State Street."
- Price
- $450K–$850K
- District
- Rose Tree Media
- Vibe
- Suburban, family-oriented, larger lots
Ridley Creek State Park backyard. Quick drive into downtown Media.
Middletown Township
"More land, same school district."
- Price
- $425K–$900K
- District
- Rose Tree Media / Penncrest HS
- Vibe
- Spacious, residential, established
Penncrest High. Tyler Arboretum. Easy 476 access.
Swarthmore
"College-town energy next door."
- Price
- $500K–$900K
- District
- Wallingford-Swarthmore
- Vibe
- Intellectual, walkable, tight-knit
Swarthmore College. Walkable downtown. One SEPTA stop from Media.
Nether Providence / Wallingford
"The sweet spot next door."
- Price
- $450K–$850K
- District
- Wallingford-Swarthmore (top-rated)
- Vibe
- Established, community-oriented
Top-rated schools. Half-acre lots. SEPTA into Center City.
Not sure which town fits your budget and lifestyle? That's literally what I do. Tell me what matters to you and I'll narrow it down in one conversation.
Schools Around Media — What the Rankings Actually Mean
This is the #2 reason families choose Media over staying in NJ or NY. Here's what you actually need to know.
Rose Tree Media School District
- Coverage
- Media, Upper Providence, Middletown, Edgmont
- Home Prices
- $400K–$900K
Penncrest HS — strong STEM, well-funded arts, competitive athletics
Wallingford-Swarthmore School District
- Coverage
- Wallingford, Swarthmore, Nether Providence, Morton
- Home Prices
- $450K–$900K
Strong AP program, above-average test scores, competitive college placement
Garnet Valley School District
- Coverage
- Concord, Bethel, Chadds Ford area
- Home Prices
- $450K–$900K
Consistently high test scores, large modern campus, strong athletics
Marple Newtown School District
- Coverage
- Marple, Newtown Square
- Home Prices
- $425K–$900K
Strong academics, growing community, easy access to 476
Important: School district boundaries don't always follow town lines — a specific street in Media can be in a different district than the next street over. Before you fall in love with a house, verify the exact district. I check this for every buyer I work with.
The Commute Question — Answered Honestly
25–35 min to Center City Philadelphia
The Media/Wawa SEPTA line terminates right in downtown Media — you can literally walk from State Street restaurants to the train. The Route 101 trolley also runs from Media to 69th Street. Monthly passes run $150–$200. No parking garage. No toll roads. No bridge traffic.
Stations: Media · Moylan-Rose Valley · Wallingford · Swarthmore
20–30 min by car
I-476 (Blue Route) is minutes from downtown Media and connects to I-95, the airport, and Center City. Rush hour adds time, especially on 476. If you're remote-first or hybrid, the drive question matters less — and that's exactly why remote workers are choosing Media over staying in their home state.
PHL Airport: 20–25 min from Media.
Get the Complete Media, PA Relocation Guide — Free
I'll send you the full PDF guide covering everything on this page plus: a neighborhood comparison matrix, current listings matching your criteria, school district boundary maps, and my personal recommendations based on your budget and lifestyle.
Why take this from me specifically?
RE/MAX Town & Country
Because I actually live and work here. I'm not running ads to buyers I'll never meet. I post raw property walkthroughs on my phone, I give you the real numbers even when they're not what you want to hear, and I've been watching the NJ and NY migration into Media accelerate every year. I know which streets get morning sun, which school district boundary cuts through which cul-de-sac, and which neighborhoods are quietly appreciating while nobody's paying attention. That's what I bring to this.