There’s no place like home once a family finds the right one in the right location.
Whether a family is in search of new opportunities to earn a better living or needs somewhere to go after a foreclosure, most are looking for a safe environment with low unemployment rates. Some cities not only offer that, but other inducements to live there as well, according to a new WalletHub study.
Using 46 metrics, such as cost of housing, quality of local school and healthcare systems, and opportunities for fun and recreation, WalletHub compared 182 U.S. cities, including the 150 most populated, across five key dimensions of Family Fun; Health and Safety; Education and Child Care; Affordability; and Socio-Economics.
Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for family life. WalletHub then determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score in rank-ordering its study sample.
Here, in ascending order, are the top 10 best places to raise a family in 2023.
10. Scottsdale, Ariz.
Scottsdale ties with Columbia, Md.; Overland Park, Kan.; Gilbert, Ariz.; and Plano, Tex., for first with highest median family salary adjusted for cost of living, but ranks 181st for lowest percentage of families with young kids. Scottsdale ranks 53rd for Family Fun; 64th in Health and Safety; 39th in Education and Child Care; 12th in Affordability; and eighth in Socio-Economics.
9. Madison, Wis.
Affectionately nicknamed “Madtown” by locals, this family-friendly college town is home to the University of Wisconsin. Madison ranks fifth for most playgrounds per capita. The city ranks 85th in Family Fun; 34th in Health and Safety; 52nd in Health and Child Care; fourth in Affordability; and 17th in Socio-Economics.
8. San Jose, Calif.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose is home to more than 6,600 technology companies and startups. The city ranks fourth for lowest divorce rate. San Jose ranks 41st in Family Fun; sixth in Health and Safety; 11th in Education and Child Care; 67th in Affordability; and 12th in Socio-Economics.
7. Seattle
Seattle ranks 66th in Family Fun; 58th in Health and Safety; eighth in Education and Child Care; 20th in Affordability; and 13th in Socio-Economics.
6. San Diego
The city ranks fifth in Family Fun; 16th in Health and Safety; 10th in Education and Child Care; 80th in Affordability; and 22nd in Socio-Economics.
5. Columbia, Md.
Columbia ties with Overland Park, Kan.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; Gilbert, Ariz.; and Plano, Tex., for first place with highest median family salary adjusted for cost of living. The city ranks 87th in Family Fun; 10th in Health and Safety; 41st in Education and Child Care; second in Affordability; and 35th in Socio-Economics.
4. Plano, Texas
Plano ties with Columbia, Md.; Overland Park, Kan.; Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Gilbert, Ariz., for first place with highest median family salary adjusted for cost of living. The city ranks 97th in Family Fun; eighth in Health and Safety; 37th in Education and Child Care; third in Affordability; and second in Socio-Economics.
3. Irvine, Calif.
Six universities call this college town home. Irvine ranks first for the lowest crime rate per capita. The city ranks 20th in Family Fun; second in Health and Safety; third in Education and Child Care; 59th in Affordability; and fourth in Socio-Economics.
2. Overland Park, Kan.
Overland Park ties with Plano, Tex.; Columbia, Md., Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Gilbert, Ariz., for first place with highest median family salary adjusted for cost of living. The city ranks third for most affordable housing, and fourth for lowest percentage of families living below the poverty line. Overland Park ranks 110th in Family Fun; 25th in Health and Safety; fourth in Education and Child Care; first in Affordability; and third in Socio-Economics.
1. Fremont, Calif.
A suburb of San Jose, Fremont ranks first for lowest divorce rate and third for lowest percentage of families living below the poverty line. The city ranks 81st in Family Fun; first in Health and Safety; second in Education and Child Care; 29th in Affordability; and first in Socio-Economics.
The full report can be viewed here.
