Burb vs. burb

Jenkintown Malvern

Montgomery County against Chester County, $290K apart on a typical house, and two different ideas of a Saturday. The tale of the tape:

Quick verdict

  • Your dollar goes further in Jenkintown: homes around $524K against $814K.
  • Jenkintown wins the commute.
  • Malvern gets you onto a trail faster.

The read, side by side

Food scene
Nights out
Shops & browsing
Arts & festivals
Trails & outdoors
Family Saturdays
Train to the city
Main-street walk
Peace & quiet

Scored 0–5 by us, the way we’d brief a friend. Not by a formula.

The numbers

Jenkintown Malvern
CountyMontgomeryChester
Typical home$524K$814K
TrainJenkintown-Wyncote, about 25 minMalvern, about 60 min
Drive to Center City~25 min~40 min
SchoolsJenkintownGreat Valley
Population4,7193,419
In our guide74 places68 places

Home values: typical figures checked against Zillow and Redfin, mid-2026. Train times: typical scheduled rides to Jefferson Station, rounded. Verify before you commit to anything with a mortgage on it.

A Saturday in each

Jenkintown

  • Philly Cheesecake Lady: Cheesecake as the whole point, in more flavors than you'd expect one bakery to carry.
  • Mine By Design Etsy Shop: A West Ave maker's shop that moved from Etsy to a storefront, selling handmade goods and gifts you can hold before you buy.
  • The Sewing Room: A sewing studio on the lower level at Homestead Road, running classes for kids and grown-ups who want to actually learn the machine.

The full Jenkintown guide →

Malvern

  • Common Good Pizza & Tap: Pizza and a rotating tap list on Pennsylvania Ave.
  • Malvern Farmers Market: The Malvern Farmers Market gathers local growers and makers near Burke Park through the warm months, with produce, bread, and things to eat on the spot.
  • Historic Sugartown: Preserved 19th-century crossroads village with a general store, carriage museum, the circa-1805 Garrett House, and a working book bindery.

The full Malvern guide →