These Are 2025's Best US Cities to Raise a Family, Report Says

Raising a family can be challenging on its own, but your surroundings also play a role—including what city you choose to raise your family in. Whether moving for a better school system, cheaper daycare options or a safer neighborhood, there are plenty of things to consider when putting down roots. To give parents a clearer picture of which places offer the best benefits, WalletHub, a personal finance website, recently authored a new report evaluating the best American cities to raise a family in.

The annual report determined which cities were best for families by comparing 180 locales across 45 key indicators of family-friendliness, including school system quality, housing affordability, healthcare availability and more. The indicators were housed under five key dimensions: family fun, health and safety, education and childcare, affordability and socioeconomics. The report then ranked the cities based on their overall score.

So what’s the best city to raise a family in the US? For the fourth year in a row, the answer remains Fremont, California, largely due to economic factors. The city boasts one of the highest median family incomes after adjusting for the cost of living, at close to $130,000, and it has the third-lowest share of families living in poverty as well as the third-lowest share receiving food stamps. The city also boasts excellent education, with 58.3% of public schools rated 7+ out of 10, low divorce rates and only 1.6% of children lacking health insurance. With ample parkland and low food insecurity, Fremont offers a stable, healthy environment for families.

Overland Park, KS, another repeat winner, ranks as the second-best U.S. city to raise a family in 2025. With a low unemployment rate of 3.4% and a high median family income of $149,000, the city also boasts a small percentage of families in poverty. It has the second-highest percentage of two-parent families in the U.S. (over 81%) and the 10th-lowest divorce rate. Additionally, Overland Park offers safety with a low traffic fatality rate and top-ranked public hospitals.

In other interesting news, this year, the report found that Las Vegas has the most playgrounds per person and Columbia, Maryland, had the highest median annual family income adjusted for the cost of living. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, takes the cake for the most affordable housing, while Gilbert, Arizona is where you’re most likely to find a playdate for your little one, with the highest percentage of families with young kids.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 best US cities to raise a family, based on their overall scores.

Top 10 Best US Cities to Raise a Family

1. Fremont, California
2. Overland Park, Kansas
3. Plano, Texas
4. Irvine, California
5. South Burlington, Vermont
6. Seattle, Washington
7. Boise, Idaho
8. Gilbert, Arizona
9. Bismark, North Dakota
10. San Diego, California

For a detailed breakdown of how the cities were scored and to see all 180 cities and their rank, check out the full report.