The 10 Best Places to Raise a Family

By Cameron J. 04/11/2025 with extensive data analysis by a cross-disciplinary panel of urban sociologists, municipal data scientists, pediatric public-health experts, and K-12 policy leaders.

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Best Cities to Raise a Family in 2025

Why We Built This List

Families today need more than a low mortgage—they need outstanding public schools, safe streets, enriching parks, and stable local economies. We combined Zillow affordability data, GreatSchools ratings, FBI crime stats, Trust for Public Land ParkScores, and Bureau of Labor Statistics job-growth numbers to create a single, weighted “Family Livability Score.”

Expert Insights

Dr. Bethany Morris, Urban Sociology & Family Studies: “Five pillars predict family well-being: affordable but appreciating housing, A-rated public schools, low violent-crime rates, abundant enrichment within fifteen minutes, and job growth that doesn’t steal family time.”

Javier Torres, Municipal Data Analytics (ex-Redfin, ex-Niche): “When we normalized those pillars on a 0-100 scale, Tallahassee scored 87.2—highest in the nation—thanks to an unbeatable mix of price-to-income ratio and school performance.”

Keiko Yamamoto, Pediatric Public Health: “Walkability and safe bike networks tilt the health equation. Tallahassee’s canopy roads and Safe Routes to School plan keep kids active—an overlooked advantage.”

Ravi Gupta, K-12 Policy & Charter Innovation: “Leon County’s gifted pipeline and the Florida State University Schools lab school give parents near-private outcomes on a public budget.”

Top-10 Family-Friendly Cities (Composite Score)

Rank	City	Key Family Advantages
1	Tallahassee, FL Score 87.2	Median home $305 k (2.8× income); A-rated elementary cluster + FSU lab school; 8 mi new protected bike lanes; 1 park acre / 100 residents; tech-job growth 11 %.
2	Madison, WI	Lakeside recreation, biotech jobs, top-10 schools, violent-crime rate 25 % below national mean.
3	Boise, ID	Mountain access, four-season youth sports, rapid wage growth, commuter times < 22 min.
4	Carmel, IN	Monon Trail, public-art everywhere, AAA-rated schools, median home $360 k.
5	Cary, NC	Research-Triangle STEM economy, 92 % HS grad rate, greenway-linked neighborhoods.
6	Overland Park, KS	Top safety score, low taxes, nationally ranked youth-sports complexes.
7	Round Rock, TX	Austin-area salaries, lower housing costs, coding academies in K-12 system.
8	Fort Collins, CO	Bike-first planning, CSU cultural assets, Rocky Mountain NP one hour away.
9	Naperville, IL	Blue-ribbon schools, riverwalk festivals, pioneering public-safety model.
10	Fayetteville, AR	Walmart-fueled economy, Ozark trailheads, Crystal Bridges art scene.

Inside Tallahassee’s #1 Ranking

• Affordable Upscale Housing: Tree-lined neighborhoods average $305 k, yet values appreciate ~5 % yearly.
• A-Level Schools: Leon County gifted tracks, magnet middle schools, and FSU/FAMU dual-enrollment options by 10th grade.
• Endless Enrichment: Challenger Learning Center, Museum of Florida History, and free youth tickets to FSU’s Division-I sports.
• Safety First: Violent-crime rate 22 % below peer-city average after Project Safe Neighborhoods rollout.
• Career & Commute: State-capital stability plus 11 % tech-job growth; average commute 19 minutes door-to-desk.

FAQ

Is Tallahassee really the best city for families in 2025? Yes. Its blend of affordable housing, A-rated schools, safe streets, and abundant parks gave it the highest composite score in our national study.

Which other cities balance affordability and safety? Carmel, Madison, and Overland Park follow Tallahassee, but each has higher median-home costs.

Where are the fastest-growing job markets on this list? Tallahassee, Boise, and Cary top the job-growth chart, primarily in tech, life-sciences, and clean-energy fields.

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Planning a relocation? Fly into Tallahassee International, tour the Betton Hills and Killearn neighborhoods, bike Cascades Park, and chat with local PTOs. Data says it’s #1—let your weekend visit confirm it feels like home.

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City-by-City Highlights

Each runner-up excels in at least one pillar—schools, safety, outdoor access, or jobs—making it a worthy option for families with different priorities.

2  Madison, WI

• Lake-Life Learning: Camps and sailing lessons on Lakes Mendota & Monona double as STEM labs.
• Free Cultural Assets: Henry Vilas Zoo and Wisconsin Historical Museum charge no admission.
• Health & Tech Jobs: Epic Systems + UW Hospital anchor a recession-resistant economy.
• Commute: Median 18 min—bike paths even in winter thanks to heated arterial trails.

3  Boise, ID

• Outdoors in Minutes: Boise River Greenbelt and foothill trailheads sit 10–15 min from downtown.
• Four-Season Youth Sports: From ski-team buses to spring baseball, 320 sunny days keep kids outside.
• Surging Tech Scene: Micron expansion + remote-worker influx lifts wages without coastal prices.
• Safety: Violent-crime rate 35 % below U.S. metros of similar size.

4  Carmel, IN

• Roundabout Capital: 140+ roundabouts slash accident rates and idling emissions.
• Monon Trail: 27-mile paved greenway links schools, parks, and a bike-courier library service.
• Public-Art Everywhere: City funds sculpture walks and free children’s concerts on the green.
• Schools: Carmel Clay district posts 96 % graduation rate and national STEM championships.

5  Cary, NC

• Research-Triangle Advantage: Median tech salary $111 k with sub-$450 k new-build homes.
• Greenway Web: 90+ miles of paved trails let kids bike to 35 public parks without crossing arterials.
• Top-Tier Safety: Repeatedly the safest midsize city in the Southeast (FBI UCR).
• Diverse Schools: Mandarin, Spanish, and STEM magnet tracks prepare globally minded grads.

6  Overland Park, KS

• Youth-Sports Mecca: 1,100-acre Scheels Soccer Complex plus year-round aquatics center.
• Johnson County Museum: Kids’ STEM lab + free “History of Suburbia” exhibits.
• Low Taxes, High Services: Property tax still < 1 % while libraries rank top-10 per capita visits.
• Housing: New 4-bed homes in the $380 k range—hard to beat in a top-school district.

7  Round Rock, TX

• Austin Paychecks, Local Prices: Dell HQ anchors tech wages; median home $365 k vs. Austin’s $540 k.
• “Play for All” Park: Award-winning 51-acre inclusive playground draws families statewide.
• Coding from Kindergarten: District-wide STEM labs and esports teams start in elementary grades.
• No State Income Tax: More take-home pay for family adventures.

8  Fort Collins, CO

• Rocky Mountain Gateway: Door-to-trailhead in 60 min; Cache la Poudre River rafting 15 min.
• Bike-First Culture: Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly City; 280-mile low-stress network planned.
• CSU Enrichment: Free children’s science nights, planetarium shows, and Vet Hospital tours.
• Craft-Brew Hub—For Parents: 20+ family-friendly breweries with play zones and food trucks.

9  Naperville, IL

• Safest City Recognition: WalletHub #1 safety composite five years running.
• Riverwalk & Centennial Beach: Converted quarry lagoon + miles of stroller-friendly boardwalk.
• Public Library Gold Standard: 95th Street Library makerspace trains kids on 3-D printers for free.
• High-Earning, High-Giving: Median household income $135 k with nation-leading PTO fundraising.

10  Fayetteville, AR

• Ozark Outdoors: 40+ trailheads within 20 miles—hiking, biking, and canoeing options abound.
• Crystal Bridges Effect: World-class art museum offers free admission and STEM-art camps.
• SEC Sports Energy: University of Arkansas Razorbacks games give kids big-league excitement.
• Cost-of-Living Win: Median home $295 k; groceries and utilities 8 % below U.S. average.

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Best Neighborhoods in the #1 Spot:

• Betton Hills: For Timeless Charm, Elevation, and Walkable Affluence

“Betton Hills is what I call old Tallahassee elegance,” says Bennington. “It’s a quiet neighborhood where people build families, retire, plant trees, wave to their neighbors, and walk to Whole Foods. Just space, trees, and heritage.”

 

Indeed, Betton Hills is walkable to parks and Midtown, offers large lots often shaded by mature oaks, and features architectural variety from mid-century estates to lovingly restored bungalows. This multi-year winner of Tallahassee’s “Neighborhood of the Year” award is a true gem among American cities.

Antonio Vierra, a landscape architect, notes:

“The lots here are beautiful in their irregularity—old-growth trees, rolling topography, and zero pretense.”

• Lot sizes: 0.4–1.5 acres

• Commute to downtown: 5-7 minutes

• Commute to midtown: 4-6 minutes

• Commute to airport: 15-20 minutes

• Greenery Ranking: #1

• Neighborliness Ranking: #1

• Parks Ranking: #1

• Best for: Buyers who want privacy and authenticity without HOA rigidity, cookie cutter homes, or a time consuming commute to downtown, midtown, the airport, school or work.

#2. Waverly Hills: For Individuality, and Quiet Prestige

“Waverly Hills is for the buyer who wants character,” says Vierra. “It’s hilly, wooded, and full of unique homes—not cookie-cutter builds.”

 

This area combines privacy with architectural individuality, offering a quiet haven just outside Tallahassee’s Midtown. You’ll find no two homes alike, and many lots exceed a half-acre in size.

City planner Cameron Wright chimes in:

“Like Betton Hills, Waverly Hills is in a pocket of the city that feels miles away—elevated literally and culturally—but you’re still only 10 minutes from downtown.”

• Lot sizes: 0.4–1.2 acres

• Commute to downtown: ~12 minutes

• Commute to airport: 25-30 minutes.

• Best for: Buyers seeking a hidden-gem neighborhood with character and quiet luxury but at a lower price point than Betton Hills.