An unexpected San Antonio neighbor has emerged as a top destination for Americans searching for a suburb with a "small-town feel." Boerne, a city 31 miles outside downtown San Antonio, ranked as the No. 4 most highly sought-after U.S. suburb of 2025 in MoveBuddha's new national survey.

MoveBuddha's experts analyzed Zillow Home Value Index data and mover search data from August 1, 2024, to September 11, 2025, for 100 of the largest U.S. metro areas. The study then determined the most desirable suburb for each metro by analyzing which had the highest inbound-to-outbound move ratio. Cities that qualified as "suburbs" were those located about 31 miles from their main metros.

In addition to being recognized as the 4th most desirable American suburb, Boerne also topped the list as the No. 1 suburb to move to in Texas. Wylie, a far-flung city outside Dallas, ranked as the No. 2 most sought-after Texas suburb and the 7th most desirable suburb in the nation.

Boerne specifically stood out among four U.S. suburbs that offer residents a "small-town feel" despite being on the far edge of the San Antonio metro.

"While not every top suburb is quaint or historic, in general, the most desirable suburbs nationwide are those with their own unique personalities and strong lifestyle appeal, regardless of their commute times," the report said.

The city's population has skyrocketed over the last decade and is now home to nearly 22,000 residents, according to a recent StorageCafe study. But Boerne isn't just being scouted by suburbanites that want to live in a small, safe city with more space; a new brunch restaurant, golf club, and a Playa Bowls franchise have all opened in this buzzy suburb earlier this year. And there are plenty of other local businesses and attractions adding to Boerne's charm.

"Boerne mixes its historic past and small-town ambiance for those seeking an area where natural beauty abounds and quality of life is valued," the city's website says. "The City of Boerne is a harmonious blend of historic charm and modern elegance, fostering an environment where independence and collective goals thrive."

The average home in Boerne is valued at $558,268, landing somewhere in the middle in the national comparison of the most desirable suburbs with the cheapest home values.

Elsewhere in Texas, Georgetown was deemed the most desirable Austin suburb and ranked 27th nationally, while Houston neighbor The Woodlands ranked as No. 48 nationwide. Edinburg, a South Texas city outside McAllen, ranked as the No. 42 most desirable suburb in America.

"In the end, America’s most popular suburbs are proving that big moves don’t always mean big cities," the report said. "Sometimes they mean big charm, with moderate prices, with some proximity to mid-sized metros. And if trends continue, the popularity of these spots — and their housing prices — will only continue to climb in 2026."

The top 10 most sought-after suburbs in America are:

• No. 1 – Wake Forest, North Carolina
• No. 2 – Eagle, Idaho
• No. 3 – Maryville, Tennessee
• No. 4 – Boerne, Texas
• No. 5 – Greer, South Carolina
• No. 6 – Camas, Washington
• No. 7 – Wylie, Texas
• No. 8 – Summerville, South Carolina
• No. 9 – Alex, North Carolina
• No. 10 – Florence, Kentucky