Wayne vs. Devon vs. Berwyn: Comparing Three Main Line Towns

Wayne, Devon and Berwyn sit next to each other along Lancaster Avenue and the Paoli/Thorndale Line, and buyers often consider all three. They have a lot in common, but the differences in townships, housing and downtowns matter. This comparison sticks to facts you can check; we do not rate towns or schools.

At a glance

	Wayne	Devon	Berwyn
Municipality	Radnor, Tredyffrin or Upper Merion Township	Easttown or Tredyffrin Township	Easttown or Tredyffrin Township
County	Delaware, Chester or Montgomery	Chester	Chester
Public school district	Radnor, Tredyffrin/Easttown or Upper Merion (by address)	Tredyffrin/Easttown	Tredyffrin/Easttown
Train station	Wayne (St. Davids and Strafford nearby)	Devon	Berwyn (Daylesford nearby)
Downtown	Largest of the three, along Lancaster Avenue	Shops along Lancaster Avenue	Small district around the station

Townships and taxes

Wayne is the most complicated: it spans three townships in three counties, so two similar houses can have different tax bills, zoning and school districts. Devon and Berwyn are both in Chester County, split between Easttown and Tredyffrin townships, and both are in the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District. In every case, confirm the township and district from the parcel record rather than the mailing address.

Housing

• Wayne has the largest stock of late-19th and early-20th-century houses near its station, including the North Wayne and South Wayne historic districts, plus twins, townhomes, condominiums and apartments near Lancaster Avenue.
• Devon leans toward single-family homes on wooded lots, older estates and historic houses, with townhome and condominium communities near Lancaster Avenue.
• Berwyn has older single homes and twins near the station, mid-century and newer neighborhoods farther out, and townhome communities.

Downtowns and amenities

Wayne's downtown is the busiest of the three, with shops, restaurants, the Wayne Art Center and the Radnor Trail nearby. Devon is home to the Devon Horse Show grounds and Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens. Berwyn's commercial area is smaller and centered on the station, with more shopping along Lancaster Avenue.

Getting around

All three have stations on the Paoli/Thorndale Line. Wayne is closest to I-476; Devon and Berwyn are closer to U.S. 202 and the Great Valley office parks. For Amtrak, Paoli is a short drive west.

Questions to ask about a specific house

1. Which township, county and school district is the parcel in, and what is its current tax bill?
2. For older homes, is the property in a historic district or on a township historic inventory?
3. How far is it, on foot, from the station and downtown?
4. For wooded lots, are there slopes, streams or tree rules that limit additions?

See the full guides for Wayne, Devon and Berwyn, or compare them side by side.

Before you decide

Boundaries, taxes and transit schedules change and can differ by address. Confirm them with the township, the school district and SEPTA.