Choosing where to raise your children might be the most important decision you’ll make as a parent. The right community can mean excellent schools, safe neighborhoods, outdoor spaces for kids to explore, and a network of families who become lifelong friends. The wrong choice can mean financial stress, limited opportunities, and years of wishing you’d done more research.
The good news? America has dozens of outstanding places to raise a family. The challenge is finding the right fit for your priorities and budget. We’ve analyzed data on schools, safety, cost of living, family amenities, healthcare, job markets, and quality of life to identify the 15 best places to raise a family in 2026.
How We Evaluated Cities
Our rankings consider:
- School Quality: Test scores, graduation rates, student-teacher ratios, and extracurricular offerings
- Safety: Crime rates, traffic safety, and emergency services
- Affordability: Housing costs, taxes, and overall cost of living relative to median incomes
- Healthcare Access: Pediatric care availability and hospital quality
- Family Amenities: Parks, libraries, recreation programs, and family activities
- Community: Parent networks, neighborhood engagement, and kid-friendly culture
- Job Market: Employment opportunities and economic stability
- Commute Times: Reasonable work-life balance for parents
Let’s dive into the top 15 cities, organized by region.
MIDWEST EXCELLENCE
1. Carmel, Indiana (Indianapolis Metro)
Why It’s Great: Consistently ranked as one of America’s best places to raise a family, Carmel, Indiana delivers on nearly every metric. The Carmel Clay Schools district is exceptional, with graduation rates above 97% and outstanding test scores. The city has invested heavily in infrastructure—think European-style roundabouts that make traffic flow smoothly and reduce accidents.
The Family Experience: Over 500 acres of parks, extensive bike trails (the Monon Trail runs right through town), a world-class performing arts center, and a family-friendly downtown with splash pads and seasonal events. The community is deeply invested in youth activities—sports leagues, music programs, and academic clubs are abundant.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $450,000. Property taxes are reasonable for the Midwest. Single-family homes with yards are the norm. Cost of living is about 8% above national average but far below coastal cities.
Trade-Off: Less diverse than coastal cities, though growing. Cold winters require indoor activity options.
Best For: Families prioritizing top-tier schools and safety with Midwest affordability.
2. Overland Park, Kansas (Kansas City Metro)
Why It’s Great: The Kansas side of Kansas City offers some of the best public schools in the nation through the Blue Valley and Shawnee Mission school districts. Overland Park is exceptionally clean, safe, and family-focused with a small-town feel despite being a city of 200,000+.
The Family Experience: Over 80 parks, the Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead (a must-visit for young kids), excellent community centers with indoor pools and programs. Youth sports are taken seriously here. The Overland Park Arboretum offers 300 acres of nature trails perfect for family hikes.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $380,000. Extremely affordable for the quality offered. Property taxes are moderate. Cost of living is about 5% above national average.
Trade-Off: It’s very suburban—some find it lacks urban energy. Summers are hot and humid.
Best For: Families wanting exceptional value with top schools and Midwestern friendliness.
3. Naperville, Illinois (Chicago Metro)
Why It’s Great: Named the best city to raise a family multiple times, Naperville, Illinois combines excellent schools, low crime, and surprising cultural amenities. You get suburban safety with easy access to Chicago’s world-class museums, restaurants, and opportunities.
The Family Experience: The Naperville Park District is legendary—over 2,400 acres of parks, including Centennial Beach (a renovated quarry turned swimming complex). The Naperville Public Library system is outstanding. Downtown Naperville is walkable with family restaurants and the Riverwalk.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $485,000. Property taxes are high (Illinois reality) at $12,000-15,000/year for many homes. Cost of living is about 25% above national average.
Trade-Off: High property taxes and expensive housing by Midwest standards. Commutes to Chicago can be long.
Best For: Families who want suburban excellence with big-city access and can afford premium pricing.
SOUTHERN COMFORT
4. Cary, North Carolina (Raleigh-Durham Metro)
Why It’s Great: Cary, North Carolina (jokingly called “Containment Area for Relocated Yankees”) is a planned community that got everything right. Excellent schools, virtually no crime, and an educated population thanks to the Research Triangle area that includes Raleigh and Durham.
The Family Experience: Outstanding parks and greenways, the Koka Booth Amphitheatre for family concerts, excellent public libraries, and a strong sense of community. Youth sports and activities are highly organized. Four mild seasons with outdoor activities year-round.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $525,000. Property taxes are reasonable at about $8,000-10,000/year. Cost of living is about 15% above national average but lower than most cities with comparable schools.
Trade-Off: Sometimes feels “too perfect” and lacking in grit or character. Rapid growth means traffic is increasing.
Best For: Families relocating from the Northeast or Midwest who want great schools and four seasons without harsh winters.
5. Johns Creek, Georgia (Atlanta Metro)
Why It’s Great: Consistently ranked as one of Georgia’s safest cities, Johns Creek offers excellent Fulton County schools and a diverse, international population thanks to Atlanta’s corporate presence.
The Family Experience: Beautiful parks along the Chattahoochee River, excellent recreation programs, strong youth sports leagues, and active parent-teacher organizations. The community is heavily invested in education and extracurriculars.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $525,000. Property taxes are moderate at about 1% of home value. No state tax on Social Security. Cost of living about 12% above national average.
Trade-Off: Traffic to Atlanta can be brutal. Hot, humid summers. Some areas feel more like suburban sprawl than walkable community.
Best For: Families wanting Southern hospitality, good schools, and diversity in a safe, affluent suburb.
6. Frisco, Texas (Dallas Metro)
Why It’s Great: One of America’s fastest-growing cities, Frisco, Texas has managed rapid expansion while maintaining excellent schools and family amenities. The Frisco Independent School District is outstanding, and the city has invested heavily in parks and recreation as part of the greater Dallas metropolitan area.
The Family Experience: The National Videogame Museum, Sci-Tech Discovery Center, multiple sports complexes (Frisco hosts numerous national youth tournaments), and The Star (Dallas Cowboys practice facility with family attractions). Youth sports are exceptional.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $575,000. No state income tax but property taxes are high at 2.0-2.5% of home value. New construction is abundant. Cost of living about 10% above national average.
Trade-Off: Very sprawling and car-dependent. Summers are brutally hot (100°+ for months). Growth means constant construction and traffic.
Best For: Families wanting new homes, excellent schools, and youth sports opportunities with no state income tax.
7. Franklin, Tennessee (Nashville Metro)
Why It’s Great: Historic downtown charm meets modern amenities in Franklin, Tennessee. Williamson County Schools are among Tennessee’s best, and the community feel is strong despite growth. You get small-town character with big-city access to Nashville.
The Family Experience: Historic downtown perfect for family strolls, excellent parks, strong arts programs, and a genuine community spirit. Proximity to Nashville means access to world-class entertainment and culture. The Harpeth River offers kayaking and outdoor fun.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $700,000 (has gotten expensive due to Nashville boom). No state income tax. Property taxes around 1.2% of home value. Cost of living about 15% above national average.
Trade-Off: Housing has become expensive. Traffic to Nashville can be challenging. Growth is changing the small-town character.
Best For: Families wanting Southern charm, excellent schools, and cultural access who can afford premium pricing.
WESTERN GEMS
8. Highlands Ranch, Colorado (Denver Metro)
Why It’s Great: A master-planned community with exceptional schools, Highlands Ranch offers the Colorado lifestyle without Denver housing prices. The Douglas County School District is one of Colorado’s best.
The Family Experience: The Highlands Ranch Community Association manages an incredible network of parks, pools, trails, and recreation centers included in HOA fees. Youth sports and activities are abundant. Proximity to mountains means weekend skiing and hiking. 300+ days of sunshine annually.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $650,000. Property taxes about 0.5% of home value (Colorado has TABOR amendment limiting tax increases). HOA fees typically $500-800/year for amenities. Cost of living about 20% above national average.
Trade-Off: Can feel cookie-cutter and homogenous. Commutes to Denver are getting longer. Altitude adjustment takes time.
Best For: Active families who prioritize outdoor lifestyle and want excellent schools with mountain access.
9. Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix Metro)
Why It’s Great: Repeatedly named the safest city in Arizona, Gilbert, Arizona offers excellent schools, affordable living, and year-round outdoor activities. It’s grown from a small farming town to one of Arizona’s best suburbs while maintaining community character in the Phoenix metro area.
The Family Experience: Riparian Preserve (over 100 acres of nature trails), Gilbert Regional Park (over 270 acres with multiple sports complexes), free outdoor movies in summer, and the Gilbert Farmers Market. Youth sports are highly organized. Winter weather is perfection.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $550,000. Property taxes about 0.6% of home value. No state tax on Social Security. Cost of living about 8% above national average.
Trade-Off: Summer is oppressively hot (115°+ for months)—budget for high AC bills. Very car-dependent. Limited diversity compared to coastal cities.
Best For: Families wanting safety, affordability, and sunshine who can tolerate extreme summer heat.
10. Sammamish, Washington (Seattle Metro)
Why It’s Great: Nestled between Lake Sammamish and the Cascade foothills, Sammamish, Washington offers natural beauty, excellent schools, and tech job opportunities. The Lake Washington School District and Issaquah School District both serve parts of Sammamish with outstanding results, providing easy access to Seattle.
The Family Experience: Abundant parks and trails, water access for kayaking and swimming, proximity to skiing (Snoqualmie Pass is 30 minutes), and a strong sense of community despite the high-income population. The Pacific Northwest outdoor lifestyle is unmatched.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $1.1 million (expensive). No state income tax. Property taxes about 1% of home value. Cost of living about 45% above national average.
Trade-Off: Very expensive. Rainy weather from October through May. Traffic to Seattle can be challenging. Tech industry volatility affects local economy.
Best For: High-earning families in tech who prioritize outdoor lifestyle, natural beauty, and top schools.
NORTHEAST QUALITY
11. Newton, Massachusetts (Boston Metro)
Why It’s Great: Newton, Massachusetts consistently ranks among the best school systems in America. The city is actually comprised of 13 villages, each with its own character, but all share excellent schools, safety, and proximity to Boston’s opportunities.
The Family Experience: Beautiful tree-lined streets, excellent libraries, strong youth programs, proximity to world-class museums and universities. The education-focused culture means kids are surrounded by learning opportunities. True four seasons with fall foliage and winter activities.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $1.3 million (very expensive). Property taxes about 1.2% of assessed value. Cost of living about 60% above national average.
Trade-Off: Extremely expensive. Old housing stock (though charming). Harsh winters. Competitive academic culture can be intense.
Best For: High-earning families who prioritize top-tier education and Boston access above all else.
12. Ridgewood, New Jersey (New York Metro)
Why It’s Great: Top-ranked schools, charming downtown, and train access to Manhattan make Ridgewood, New Jersey ideal for families who want suburban safety with urban career opportunities. The community feel is strong despite proximity to New York City.
The Family Experience: Beautiful parks, excellent library, active downtown with family-friendly restaurants and shops, strong youth sports and arts programs. Four distinct seasons with manageable winters. The sense of community is real—people know their neighbors.
The Money Factor: Median home price around $850,000. Property taxes are very high at $18,000-25,000/year for most homes (New Jersey reality). Cost of living about 50% above national average.
Trade-Off: Extremely high property taxes. Expensive housing. Competitive culture. Commuting to NYC is expensive and time-consuming.
Best For: Families with NYC careers who want excellent schools and suburban safety and can afford premium costs.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
13. Fishers, Indiana (Indianapolis Metro)
Nearly identical to Carmel but slightly more affordable. Fishers, Indiana has excellent Hamilton Southeastern Schools, safe streets, and family-friendly amenities. Median home price around $380,000.
14. Flower Mound, Texas (Dallas Metro)
Beautiful master-planned community with excellent Lewisville ISD schools, parks, and trails. Flower Mound is more affordable than Frisco but similar quality. Median home price around $475,000.
15. Olathe, Kansas (Kansas City Metro)
Excellent schools, affordability, and Midwest charm. Olathe, Kansas is similar to Overland Park but more affordable. Median home price around $340,000.
How to Choose the Right City for Your Family
The “best” city depends entirely on your priorities and circumstances. Here’s how to narrow it down:
If Top Schools Are Non-Negotiable: Newton, MA, Carmel, IN, Naperville, IL, Cary, NC, or Ridgewood, NJ should be your targets.
If Affordability Matters Most: Overland Park, KS, Olathe, KS, or Fishers, IN offer exceptional value.
If Outdoor Lifestyle Is Priority: Highlands Ranch, CO, Sammamish, WA, or Gilbert, AZ deliver.
If You Need Big City Access: Ridgewood, NJ (NYC), Naperville, IL (Chicago), or Franklin, TN (Nashville) work.
If Weather Matters: Gilbert, AZ and Cary, NC offer the best year-round climates.
If Diversity Is Important: Cary, NC, Johns Creek, GA, and Sammamish, WA have the most international populations.
The Final Word
Every city on this list will give your kids a safe, enriching environment to grow up in. The question isn’t which is “best” objectively—it’s which is best for your family’s values, budget, and lifestyle.
Visit before you commit. Spend time in the neighborhoods, talk to parents at parks and school pick-ups, drive the commutes, and experience the climate across seasons if possible. The right choice will feel right.
Your kids will thrive in any of these communities. Pick the one where your family will thrive too.
