When deciding which part of the United States to start a family, many factors are taken into account. The list can be rather long, including things like a thriving job market, affordable housing, easy access to good schools, and a feeling of security in one’s community. Nevertheless, we’ve taken the effort to compile a list to assist you in narrowing down the possibilities to look into for a potential family relocation. So join ViewCation as we present to you the best cities to raise a family (USA).
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Despite Ann Arbor’s reputation as a student town due to its proximity to the University of Michigan, the city has much more to offer.
AreaVibes gives the city an A+ rating for its great quality of life and safety due to its low crime rate, top-notch educational system, and plenty of convenient services. The median home price in this pleasant city is $250,200, but the median rent is just $1,114 per month, making it an excellent option for families. With a total estimated population of 118,087, the unemployment rate is rather low at 3.4%, and the average income per household is a comfortable $57,696. In addition, the city is home to the University of Michigan Hospitals—Michigan Medicine, which is considered among the best in the country and ranked 14th in adult specialties and 10th in pediatric specialties. Given these facts, it is easy to see why Ann Arbor, Michigan, is one of the best places in the country to live with a family because of its extensive list of amenities, low crime rate, and affordable housing.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of the best locations to live for families, having recently been named one of the safest cities in the United States! When relocating to Boston, parents need not worry about their children’s development because there is a wide variety of kid-friendly and adult-friendly things to do in the city. Many of Boston’s cultural and historical landmarks, as well as top-notch educational institutions like Eliot K-8 Innovation School and Boston Latin School, are easily accessible from the city’s safe and inexpensive neighborhoods. The city’s abundance of prestigious universities, including Boston University and Ivy League powerhouse Harvard University, makes it an attractive option for families with high school graduates. Buying a home in this city will set you back an average of $423,200, while renting will set you back an average of $1,369. Boston, Massachusetts, has a population of around 658,279 and is a highly desirable city to live in for families due to its high median income, which stands at $58,516, and plenty of cultural and historical attractions.
Arlington, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia, formerly an integral component of the nation’s capital, is now widely regarded as one of the most desirable places in the country to reside, particularly for families. Several different communities in Arlington are great places to raise a family. You don’t have to travel far to get a first-rate education, thanks to excellent institutions like Yorktown High School and Arlington Traditional Elementary School. Arlington has the third highest median household income among the cities evaluated, just slightly exceeding $190K annually, thanks to the presence of big corporations in the area and the plethora of government work options in neighboring Washington, DC. Generally speaking, Arlington provides a pleasant setting for raising a family due to its abundance of parks, schools, and other resources geared toward children’s development. Comparatively, among the 10 cities on this list, it had the third-lowest crime rate and the highest percentage of college graduates. Out of a total adult population of 226,092, a staggering 77% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Irvine, California
This beautiful city in Orange County, California, is well-known for its excellent work opportunities, excellent educational facilities, welcoming community, and pleasant year-round climate. After careful consideration, WalletHub, a personal finance website, recently ranked the city as the 34th happiest place to live in the United States. With a total population of 2,46,992, this city has a low unemployment rate of about 4%, a median home price of around $718,800, and a median family income of approximately $93,823. AreaVibes reports that the crime rate in Irvine is 53 percent lower than the U.S. average, making it a very secure place to live. Moreover, the city is home to UC Irvine Medical Center, a first-rate facility and one of the state’s best hospitals. Furthermore, the city is brimming with family-friendly attractions such as Knott’s Berry Farm, California’s first theme park and home to the delectable boysenberry treats, as well as many other exciting attractions.
Plano, Texas
Plano provides a family-friendly environment by combining the best of both urban and suburban living. Plano has a higher-than-average home price of $533K, but the higher-than-average salaries in the area more than make up for it. Plano households have one of the highest median incomes in the country, coming in at about $116,000 annually. Also, the city ranks third in the country for the number of high-end apartment complexes built in the last decade, giving its residents access to the best the industry has to offer. With its public schools receiving high rankings among the best in the state and the nation, the city stands out as one of the locations that offers fantastic opportunities for top-notch education. The city’s high graduation rate of 96 percent can be attributed to its excellent educational institutions, including Wyatt Elementary School, Renner Middle School, and Jasper High School. And among the adult population, Plano has one of the highest rates of college graduates, with about 60% of inhabitants aged 25 and older holding a bachelor’s degree.
Boise, Idaho
In spite of its rapid growth, Boise, Idaho, has lost some of its reputation as an inexpensive place to live because of its prominence during the pandemic. However, it still has many wonderful advantages that make it one of the greatest cities for families with children. Most families with children make around $84,000 per year, while the national median home price sits at $515,000. In addition to getting more bang for your buck, the cost of childcare is lower here than in most large cities, at $1,290 per month. Boise Senior High School is considered to be the top public high school in Idaho, and the city as a whole ranks seventh in the US for its public school rankings, making it an attractive option for families with children. Further, Boise State University, which is regarded among the most innovative colleges in the country, contributes to the fact that 48 percent of persons aged 25 and up possess a Bachelor of Arts degree. In addition to offering top-notch education, Boise has a low crime rate, making the City of Trees one of the safest locations to live. Boise provides the ideal natural location for maintaining an active lifestyle, with the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin Desert on either side.
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs is a beautiful mountain town located about an hour south of Denver, and while it is not as huge as Denver, it more than makes up for its smaller size with its abundance of attractions and activities that the whole family can enjoy. There are approximately 448,759 people living in the city, and just 4.8% of them are unemployed. In addition to being safer for families, this community is 12 percent cheaper than Denver. While the average cost of a home is $222,100, the average household with children earns $56,227 annually. However, the low cost of living is not the only factor luring families to Colorado Springs. Kids in the area can get a top-notch, meaningful education at schools like Discovery Canyon Middle School, Broadmoor Elementary, and The Classical Academy High School. Living in Colorado Springs also means you’ll be close to a variety of family-friendly attractions like museums, parks, and trails. In addition to a thriving job market and reasonable housing costs, the city is a great place for families to settle down.
Portland, Oregon
The outdoors-loving city of Portland, Oregon, is another excellent choice for families. According to StorageCafé, the city ranks first in communal garden plots, with 4.5 per 1,000 residents, and tenth in air quality, in addition to having fantastic parks and trails to explore. Portland also has excellent public schools, ranking ninth best in the US. In this area, over 20% more adults have earned a bachelor’s degree than the national average, and over half of all adults here have some sort of postsecondary education. Although Portland’s home prices ($582K) are higher than the national average, the annual income of a typical Portland household is well above $100,000. Along with outdoor activities, parents and kids can participate in regional cultural events like sporting events or theatrical productions. There are many professional sports teams in Portland, including ones for baseball, basketball, and soccer. Yes, let’s go, Blazers!
Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska, the state capital, has several advantages that make it a top contender among the finest places to raise a family. In spite of its recent expansion, the city’s cost of living has remained relatively stable. Both housing prices ($266K) and rent ($1,150) are considerably lower than average for the US as a whole. The low cost of living is complemented by a typical household income of $83,000. Along with excellent living circumstances, public schools are highly regarded, with Lincoln East High School being one of the best in the state. Plus, Lincoln has the second-shortest commute on this list, so parents can pick up their kids from school without having to travel far. The city also provides fantastic opportunities for outdoor recreation and sports. There are 4.3 tennis courts for every 20,000 residents, making tennis a fantastic choice for those who want to be active while also enjoying their favorite sport. There are around 5 parks per 10,000 residents, so it’s easy for families to spend time outside in the fresh air. For example, the Pioneers Park Nature Center is home to a wildlife sanctuary, several hiking trails, and an environmental learning center.
There you have it. It’s now time to hear from you. Let us know which part of the U.S. you live in and if it compares to the list provided in this video.