Every parent wants the best for their child, including the best environment in which to raise them. WalletHub compared the 150 most populated cities in the country and ranked the best cities in the country for families. The criteria it used included family activities, fun, health, safety, education, childcare, affordability and socioeconomic environments.
We analyzed the top 50 cities to determine the top five states to raise a family. Ten states checked in with one city each, while Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota each landed two cities in the top 50. You can see WalletHub's complete city-by-city list and methodology here, but these five states separated themselves from the pack as the best states to raise a family.
Colorado (Tied for Fourth, Three Cities in Top 50)
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Colorado just barely made it into the top five with three cities on the list. The Centennial State's top city was Colorado Springs, which ranked highly in affordability and family activities and fun.
Cities in Top 50: Colorado Springs (9), Denver (42), Aurora (44)
Virginia (Tied for Fourth, Three Cities in Top 50)
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Virginia is for lovers, and apparently for families, too. We gave Virginia the tiebreaker over Colorado based on its cities' rankings, plus it's one of the original 13, so it has seniority.
Cities in Top 50: Virginia Beach (3), Chesapeake (8), Newport News (49)
Despite being the only state on this list without a city in the Top 10, the Grand Canyon State eked into third place with four cities in the top 50. According to WalletHub, three Arizona cities ranked in the top five for highest median family salary.
Cities in Top 50: Gilbert (14), Chandler (24), Peoria (34), Scottsdale (40)
California made a solid run at the top spot, landing 11 cities in the top 50. The Golden State had cities ranked No. 1 for lowest violent crime rate per capita (Irvine) and lowest divorce rate (Fremont).
Cities in Top 50: Fremont (7), Irvine (11), Rancho Cucamonga (18), San Jose (27), Santa Clarita (29), Huntington Beach (38), Fontana (41), San Diego (43), Bakersfield (45), Chula Vista (46), Santa Rosa (50)
The Lone Star State dominated the upper half of the list, with nine cities appearing in the top 25. Texas' highest ranked city was Dallas suburb Plano, which earned top marks in median family salary and housing affordability.
Cities in Top 50: Plano (2), Grand Prairie (10), Amarillo (12), Arlington (13), Fort Worth (16), Corpus Christi (19), Irving (20), Austin (22), Lubbock (25), Garland (28), El Paso (31), San Antonio (35), Laredo (47)
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