Best Places To Raise A Family: A Complete Guide

Author:

Apr 15, 2024

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7-minute read

There are many great places in America for families to live, including kid-friendly towns and affordable cities where everyone can create and enjoy a good quality of life. But when it comes to the best places to raise a family, nothing beats the cities listed below.

What Are The Best Places To Live For Families?

Choosing a place to live might not always be easy due to multiple like schooling and affordability.

The following table is a list of the 10 best cities to raise a family in the U.S. based on various factors, including cost of living, public school options, unemployment and crime rates and housing costs.

Rank	City, State	Population
1	Peoria, Illinois	151,400
2	Olathe, Kansas	145,597
3	Bloomington, Illinois	185,300
4	Cheektowaga, New York	174,100
5	Naperville, Illinois	148,508
6	Ankeny, Iowa	300,600
7	Arlington Heights, Illinois	426,300
8	Columbia, Maryland	478,000
9	Elk Grove, California	177,558
10	Fremont, California	223,859

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The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family

When you’re thinking about buying a house, the location where you choose to live matters quite a bit. Your location determines your school district, level of access to public transportation and the resale value of your home, among many other factors.

1. Peoria, Illinois

Peoria is consistently named as one of the best cities in America to live. The city has an excellent zoo, many high-quality museums and plenty of outdoor activities. The cost of living is 10% below the national average, and Peoria has the seventh-lowest median sale price among U.S. cities.

Here’s what you need to know about buying a home in Peoria:

Median home sale price: $127,753
Total households with children: 25,816
Median family household income: $74,512

2. Olathe, Kansas

Olathe is a suburb of Kansas City, and it comes with a highly-rated public school system, affordable housing and access to a diverse community. Olathe residents also have access to 1,367 acres of parks and hiking trails, so it’s a good option for outdoor enthusiasts.

Overall, Olathe is ranked No. 7 in the nation for households with children per capita. Here’s what you need to know about buying a home in Olathe:

Median home sale price: $447,329
Total households with children: 38,697
Median family household income: $114,305

3. Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington is home to two major universities, and several large companies are headquartered there, including State Farm, Country Financial and OSF HealthCare. There are also lots of interesting boutiques and restaurants.

The Constitution Trail is one of Bloomington’s main attractions, featuring 37 miles of trail where people can walk, run, cycle or skateboard. Residents will also have access to a highly rated public school system.

Here’s what you need to know about buying a home in Bloomington:

Median home sale price: $239,882
Total households with children: 18,573
Median family household income: $93,169

4. Cheektowaga, New York

Cheektowaga is located just outside of Buffalo, and it’s one of the most affordable options in the New York region. The city is located just 30 minutes from Niagara Falls, and residents can access a large park system with outdoor fields, courts and walking trails.