Raising kids in 2026: What parents really want in a hometown

Choosing where to raise your family can be one of the most critical decisions you’ll ever make as a parent and as a homeowner.

Most people want a place that’s safe but not suffocating – where kids can be kids. Others want somewhere that’s affordable, so monthly mortgage payments don’t break the bank. Still others value proximity to family and a community where they feel like they belong.

All of these things are priorities for Americans deciding where to raise their families, according to a recent Rocket Mortgage survey of 1,000 parents and caregivers with children living at home. The study aimed to reveal what influences a family’s decision to set down roots in a particular city. Its data paints a picture of parents who seek safety, community, and affordability.

Key takeaways:

• Roughly two-thirds (65%) of American parents and caregivers say safety is their most important factor when choosing where to raise their family.
• About 78% of respondents say it’s “very important” or “critical” to live near family, and 70% express the same sentiment about living near people with similar beliefs or backgrounds.
• On Rocket Mortgage’s list of the best places to raise a family, the Lone Star State dominates, with five Texas cities in the top 10.

Safety is the #1 priority for families

Above all else, families want their kids to be safe. A whopping 65% of respondents in the Rocket Mortgage survey rank safety as their highest priority, far outstripping other factors such as community (12%) and school ratings (10%). Amenities for kids (6%), child care costs (5%), and playgrounds, parks, and green spaces (3%) are even less central considerations.

While safety is the leading factor in choosing a place to live, about 78% of respondents say it is “very important” or “critical” to live near family, and 70% express a strong desire to live near people with similar beliefs or similar backgrounds.

When it comes to finances, cost of living is the most important financial factor in deciding where to raise a family, according to 38% of respondents. That’s roughly twice the number of respondents who say job availability in their industry is the most critical factor.

Finding the best places to raise a family in the US

So which U.S. cities actually are delivering on what families want most? We built our top 10 list based on a variety of factors, including school ratings, crime rate, child care costs, family-friendly amenities, percentage of households with children, and access to open space.

With those criteria in mind, here are 10 cities where families can put down roots and thrive.

1. El Paso, Texas

• Crime rate: 286 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 31%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 2%
• Annual average cost of child care: $6,372
• Student-teacher ratio: 18:1
• Amenities score: 43
• Acreage score: 62

El Paso’s low crime rate, combined with the city’s affordable child care costs and abundant green spaces, positions it as the best place for families. Parents searching for the best school districts will find that Ysleta Independent School District is ranked by Niche as #1 in El Paso and is ranked seventh among districts with the best teachers in all of Texas.

The “Sun City” offers affordable housing, with $250,950 as the median home price, as well as many museums, parks, and other recreational opportunities to keep boredom at bay. Visit an interactive aquarium, the El Paso Museum of Archaeology with its 15 acres of nature trails, or the local children’s museum and science center.

2. Wichita, Kansas

• Crime rate: 1,152 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 40%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 1%
• Annual average cost of child care: $5,201
• Student-teacher ratio: 14:1
• Amenities score: 44
• Acreage score: 54

Families prioritizing putting down roots in a city with low child care costs and a strong sense of community may quickly appreciate the “Midwest nice” attitude and warm neighborliness of Wichita. With a median home sales price around $240,000, this friendly, community-driven place is one of the country’s most affordable major cities. Wichita is also home to 120 parks and various museums, shopping districts, and family-friendly outdoor entertainment.

The area is noted for its light traffic and small-town feel, so be ready to return the signature “farmer wave” as you drive by locals on country roads and in residential areas.

3. Laredo, Texas

• Crime rate: 345 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 21%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 7%
• Annual average cost of child care: $6,588
• Student-teacher ratio: 16:1
• Amenities score: 65
• Acreage score: 19

In Rocket Mortgage’s top 10 list of best places to raise a family, Laredo stands out as one of the fastest-growing family destinations, with a 7% increase in households with children. More families are choosing Laredo than anywhere else we ranked. Add that to the low median home price of $256,000, and Laredo makes a compelling case for families looking for an affordable, community-oriented place.

Laredo is also rich in culture. Located on the Rio Grande River, the city showcases Hispanic heritage that’s reflected in the Tex-Mex dining scene and historical landmarks and museums.

4. Boise, Idaho

• Crime rate: 228 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 43%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 3%
• Annual average cost of child care: $7,326
• Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
• Amenities score: 87
• Acreage score: 55

The state capital of Idaho is one of the safest cities on our list, with an average crime rate of just 228 incidents per 100,000 residents – the second-lowest rate in the top 10. 

Fittingly, the “City of Trees” also has the highest amenities score on our list, along with the third-highest acreage score, meaning Boise residents have a host of opportunities to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Families can spend summer weekends biking or birding on the Boise River Greenbelt, and winter weekends skiing or snowboarding at Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area.

5. Houston

• Crime rate: 684 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 42%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 3%
• Annual average cost of child care: $6,661
• Student-teacher ratio: 26:1
• Amenities score: 47
• Acreage score: 51

Whether you’re looking at population (2.4 million residents) or physical size (640 square miles within the city limits), Houston is by far the largest city on our top 10 list for best places to raise a family. The median home price is $340,000, making it an affordable option for those who prefer to live in a larger city.

Houston is also easy on the family budget, offering many free recreational options. Get your children immersed in the theater experience at Miller Outdoor Theatre, take a free Port Houston boat tour, or enjoy one of the massive green spaces, like the 1,500-acre Memorial Park. Families with young children also love the city for its connection to space, centered around NASA’s Space Center Houston.

6. Lubbock, Texas

• Crime rate: 633 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 43%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 2%
• Annual average cost of child care: $7,854
• Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
• Amenities score: 28
• Acreage score: 48

Lubbock is a hidden gem that offers families plenty to explore together, whether it's food, music, or history. Public schools in this part of the state serve students well, as class sizes hover around a ratio of 15 students per teacher.

Known as the “Hub City” and home to Texas Tech University, Lubbock serves as the center for health care, education, and shopping for the surrounding region. Families are drawn to its affordable housing – with a median home price of about $239,000 – along with manageable commute times.

7. Lincoln, Nebraska

• Crime rate: 383 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 44%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 2%
• Annual average cost of child care: $8,198
• Student-teacher ratio: 4:1
• Amenities score: 61
• Acreage score: 47

Lincoln is a college town, with a community shaped by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. While many on-campus amenities – like the Sheldon Museum of Art – are free to the public, there are plenty of activities for families beyond school grounds. Highlights for kids include the Lincoln Children’s Zoo, the Lincoln Children’s Museum, and Hyde Memorial Observatory.

The city’s commitment to education shows in Lincoln's student-teacher ratio, which ranks the best on our list. Other notable points about Lincoln include its affordability (the median home price is $309,333) and its amenities score of 61. Most residents are never more than a few minutes from parks, recreation, and other amenities.

8. Corpus Christi, Texas

• Crime rate: 777 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 33%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 0.3%
• Annual average cost of child care: $7,908
• Student-teacher ratio: 15:1
• Amenities score: 40
• Acreage score: 26

Of all the cities on this list, Corpus Christi may offer the most dramatic natural setting, with more than 80 miles of Gulf Coast beaches stretching behind a set of barrier islands. And for Corpus Christi residents, Houston is a reasonable distance (about 200 miles, or 3 hours of driving) for a weekend getaway.

The median home price is $269,000, which means the budget-friendly town could make a great home base for beach-loving families, rather than just a sandcastle-filled vacation escape.

9. Miami

• Crime rate: 356 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 47%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 4%
• Annual average cost of child care: $8,722
• Student-teacher ratio: 17:1
• Amenities score: 72
• Acreage score: 23

In addition to year-round sunshine and long stretches of white sand beaches with shallow water, Miami offers a rich culture that’s just as captivating for kids as it is for adults. It’s also the most family-populated city on our list, with 47% of the city’s households raising children.

While the median home price in Miami is the highest among cities on our list, at $723,500, it’s also a vibrant, stroller-friendly city that has plenty of kid-friendly attractions. From its 750-acre zoo to its children’s museum and science museum, there’s a lot to see and do in Miami. Best of all, families can take advantage of Atlantic Ocean-centric water sports such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, and fishing, as well as airboat tours of the nearby Everglades.

10. Port St. Lucie, Florida

• Crime rate: 117 incidents per 100,000 residents annually
• Percentage of households with children: 26%
• Percentage increase of households with children: 6%
• Annual average cost of child care: $9,162
• Student-teacher ratio: 19:1
• Amenities score: 29
• Acreage score: 68

Many people think of this city as a center for Major League Baseball spring training and PGA golf. For families, however, Port St. Lucie is also a great place to settle down, with a median home price of $400,000.

With an acreage score of 68 – the highest on our list – the city also has plenty of open space to offer beyond its rolling green golf courses and verdant baseball diamonds. That’s likely a factor making Port St. Lucie one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Methodology

In January 2026, Rocket Mortgage surveyed 1,000 Americans to determine the factors they considered most important when choosing where to raise their family. The participants were parents and caregivers with a child or children age 17 or younger living at home. The survey was conducted online using multiple-choice questions, and all questions required answers. Results were rounded up or down to the nearest percentage and, as a result, they may not total 100%.

Rocket Mortgage also collected and analyzed the most recent data on 81 select metro areas in the United States to uncover the best places to raise a family. We looked at seven key measures, which gave insights into the resources available for raising a family in every city.

The crime rate reflects the number of incidents per 100,000 residents per year, based on FBI crime data; lower scores indicate safer communities. The amenities score is an index measuring access to parks, recreation facilities, and local resources, sourced from the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore dataset; higher scores indicate better access. The acreage score reflects the total amount of park space available in a given area, also sourced from ParkScore; higher scores indicate more green space per resident.

Each data metric was then normalized and transformed to a common range of 0 – 100 points for scoring and comparison. Weights were applied to each metric, reflecting its importance in the study. The weighted scores were then summed to create the overall score for each city. The final scores were sorted to produce the final ranking of the best places to raise a family.

 

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide financial, investment, or tax advice. You should consult a qualified financial or tax professional before making decisions regarding your retirement funds or mortgage.

Rocket Mortgage is a trademark of Rocket Mortgage, LLC or its affiliates.