These are the 10 best places in the U.S. to raise a family—California didn't make the top 10 (2024)

FAQs

Is California a good place to raise a family? ›

California is home to some of the best — and worst — places in the country to raise a family, a new study says. A total of six Golden State cities landed on a WalletHub list of the top 20 places to raise a family in 2024.

“Notably, many of the top-ranking cities are in California, especially in terms of family activities, health, safety and education. Cities like Fremont, Irvine, San Jose and San Diego consistently rank highly across multiple categories,” says Happe.

As the best place to raise a family, Fremont boasts a high average net worth ($122,000), low poverty, public schools rated at least 7 out of 10 and abundant summer camp opportunities and green spaces.

Is California a Good Place To Live? It's a great place to live. California is the third-largest state in the country — and its most biodiverse. From the misty Redwood forests in the North to year-round sunshine on Southern California beaches, Californians have a picturesque landscape no matter where they look.

There are many great reasons to move to California—from being closer to the epicenter of your chosen industry like entertainment in LA or tech in the San Francisco area—to wanting an outdoor lifestyle, made possible by the year-round great weather. California is also one of the most culturally diverse states in the ...

The best state to raise a family: Massachusetts

For the second year in a row, Massachusetts is the best state to raise a family. The New England state earned a total score of 66.97 and ranked first in education and child care.

Iowa is considered one of the cheapest states to live in the US due to its low cost of living. The state has a strong agricultural industry, which contributes to its low housing costs. Iowa has the lowest housing costs in the US, according to a report by WalletHub.

WalletHub released a 2023 report listing the safest cities in the US. Cities were ranked based on 41 indicators of safety, including rates of crime and natural disasters. Nashua, New Hampshire, scored the highest, followed by Columbia, Maryland.

1. New York, NY. NYC has topped America's Best Cities since our inaugural ranking. In 2024, it is U.S. urban recovery writ large, with a dizzying roster of new shows, hotels and parks—and record real estate prices.

1. Cheltenham. Cheltenham ticks all the boxes for parents looking for a quiet and pleasant town in which to bring up their children. The spa town boasts excellent schools, low crime rates and easy access to the Cotswolds.

Where are families the happiest? ›

To build a happiness scale, we awarded points to respondents who are in contact with family members more often, as well as those who enjoy time with their family and more. Leading the way with the happiest families in the U.S is Tennessee with a score of 95.9 out of 100.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts tops the rankings as the best state to raise a family, with an impressive score of 77.14. The state excels in several key areas, making it ideal for families. Health & Safety: With a score of 82.27, Massachusetts prioritizes the health of its youngest residents.

The number one city to raise a family, according to WalletHub's research, is Fremont, a city in the San Francisco Bay Area. It came out on top for its high socioeconomic and education rankings.

FREMONT, Calif.

And Fremont, population 225,000, is also the best place to raise a family in the United States because of its overall wealth, health and access to activities, according to WalletHub's 2024 Best Cities For Families ranking.

While California ranks third-most expensive for a single adult to live comfortably at $113,652, it only ranks fifth-most expensive for two working adults raising two children. The total family income should be at least $276,724 in the latter case.

Self-reported overall life satisfaction was the same in both regions, but participants who rated a similar other expected Californians to be more satisfied than Midwesterners. Climate-related aspects were rated as more important for someone living in another region than for someone in one's own region.

Palo Alto is known for its exceptional schools and education system, making it an ideal place for families. The city is home to some of the best public and private schools in California, offering a high-quality education to students of all ages.