Rentberry’s Picks: Cities to Raise Kids in the US

We are lucky to live in the century of mobility, remote work, and ever-growing urbanization, which means you can move to any city and start calling this place your home. Sounds great, but there is one catch. Your choice becomes limited when you raise a child or plan to have one. As a parent or a parent-to-be, you want all the best for your family. You want your kids to live in a safe, clean, and beautiful place bustling with culture and exciting things to do. So you turn to ratings and recommendations to make an educated decision.

First, you’ll be glad to know that there are many lists and ratings available. But later on, you’ll realize that they all are based purely on statistics and end up featuring Springfields and alike (there are 34 Springfields in the US, and none of them is famous for anything but the fact of being called the hometown of Homer Simpson).

Of course, such little towns are safe and green, but let’s face it: the best city to raise a kid should also be the best city for working parents. That is why we decided to come up with our own list. We based our rating both on data and common sense, so no one-eyed towns were included.

Richmond, VA

Median property value: $244,200
Median rent for a single-family house: $1,715
Median household income: $51,421

History is around every corner for those living and renting in Richmond. This city is filled with culture, art, and high-class entertainment. Plus, it is a perfect location for a healthy lifestyle. Richmond is home to the Monument Avenue 10k and Union Cycliste International World Championships, so your kids will grow up watching how the athletes contend for the championship. Despite being filled with the city spirit, Richmond is free from serious traffic congestion, which makes it great for long walks. According to the data provided by Walkscore, Jackson Ward and Monroe Ward are the best neighborhoods for family walks.

Dallas, TX

Median property value: $208,700
Median rent for a single-family house: $3,619
Median household income: $54,747

Although it’s one of the largest cities in the US, Dallas is one of the best places for your kids to grow in the whole country. Not only can it boast exceptional private and public schools, but it also has multiple educational opportunities outside the classroom. Trinity River Audubon Center, Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, and the Arboretum and Botanical Garden are only a part of the attractions a family with children can enjoy. If you are seriously into healthy food, you will surely appreciate the Dallas Farmers Market with its picturesque pyramids made of vegetables and fruits. If your kids are already big enough, they will also like the idea of having a Sunday bike ride on the White Rock Lake Bike Trail. The truth is that Texas cannot boast of a high walkability score, but Dallas is the second most walkable city in the whole state.

Nashville, TN

Median property value: $264,600
Median rent for a single-family house: $3,259
Median household income: $62,087

Although Nashville is known as the capital of country music, it is also an excellent place for starting a family and raising a kid. There are at least three reasons why to choose this city for family life. First of all, it is amazingly green and lush. Not many big cities can boast 90 parks and 75 miles of greenways. Second of all, it is ranked highly for healthcare. More than 250 medical companies’ headquarters and six of the country’s top 10 hospitals are located in Nashville. Finally, this city offers affordable housing, which means you’ll be able to save money on other essential things.

Boston, MA

Median property value: $581,200
Median rent for a single-family house: $3,218
Median household income: $76,298

According to locals, Boston is home to the nation’s best schools and institutions of higher education. Want your kids to eat healthier? Boston is surrounded by countless farms providing local markets with seasonal fruits, vegetables, and dairy. Striving to spend more family time outdoors? There are plenty of things to do in Boston, regardless of the season. Practice ice skating in Millennium Park, play with water in the fountains, or simply take a walk and smell flowers somewhere at the Garfield Park Conservatory. Plus, Boston is ranked the 7th most livable city in the country, which makes it great for raising your kids.

More like this: Best Neighborhoods in Boston: Find the Right One for You

The city has countless opportunities in every regard, which makes it one of the best places to live for families. And the cherry on top, the nation’s prominent institutions, including MIT, Harvard, and Boston University, are all located in Massachusetts.

Salt Lake City, UT

Median property value: $346,100
Median rent for a single-family house: $2,649
Median household income: $63,156

Locals joke that the snow is dirty everywhere but here, and there are grounds for such a joke. The nature around here is beyond beautiful. Salt Lake City is where mountains are people’s neighbors, and skiing is their favorite outdoor activity. This means your kids will get all the chances to live an active and sporty life. If you are looking for neighborhoods with a high walk and bike score, choose between the Rio Grande and Central City.

Last but not least, Utan can boast of affordable housing, which is always a thing to consider if you are a parent.

Pittsburgh, PA

Median property value: $134,800
Median rent for a single-family house: $1,953
Median household income: $50,536

The city of bridges is not only good for crossing them. There is ample evidence that Pittsburgh is just as good for raising kids. Local schools like Pittsburgh Obama Academy, Pittsburgh Creative, and Performing Arts School are all standouts, and don’t forget about top-ranked Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne Universities. What’s more, Pittsburgh is a perfect place for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Farmer markets and the local green movement will help you get rid of unhealthy habits and accustom your kids to living a healthy life. If you and your family are big fans of long walks, consider living in Downtown or Central Oakland since these two neighborhoods are considered the most walkable parts of the city.

Phoenix, AZ

Median property value: $250,800
Median rent for a single-family house: $3,185
Median household income: $60,914

Don’t be fooled by its size. Despite being the 6th largest city in the country, Phoenix is still great for raising kids. Researchers found that there is no big city in the United States where traffic is lighter than in Phoenix. Apart from it, the city boasts multiple outdoor activities, a record number of sunny days, and the incredible nature around. Due to its thriving job market, Phoenix is also considered one of the 50 best cities for working parents.

For the past few years, Phoenix has attracted many newcomers with its stable local economy, relatively low cost of living, and affordable housing. To prove our point, it was the second-fastest growing city in the country in 2021.

Austin, TX

Median property value: $358,600
Median rent for a single-family house: $3,106
Median household income: $75,752

If you doubt the existence of Southern hospitality, you should grab your bags and move to Austin. It is a great place for family life, whatever way you slice it. Austin is green, sunny, and bursting with cultural experiences. If you deeply care about your children’s future, you’ll surely appreciate the fact that Austin offers less inclination for kids to grow up spoiled. It is the place where children have a part-time job to make some pocket money and spend more time outdoors than in shopping malls.

More like this: Rentberry’s Picks: Great Places to Live in Texas

San Jose, CA

Median property value: $925,800
Median rent for a single-family house: $3,326
Median household income: $117,324

The safest city in the Bay Area, San Jose, might be exactly what you and your family need. If you want your kids to have smart classmates and highly educated teachers, moving to this city might be the best choice in your life. The weather is nice all year round, and there is a short drive to area beaches and Yosemite National Park. What’s more, the city is brimming with higher educational opportunities. San Jose State University, Stanford University, and Evergreen Valley College are all great for preparing your kids for a bright future. According to U.S. News, San Jose was named the 5th best place to live in the country in 2022-2023, which suggests a lot in terms of safety, quality of life, and the state of the economy.

Honolulu, HI

Median property value: $702,300
Median rent for a single-family house: $4,070
Median household income: $87,722

If the idea of living in paradise doesn’t scare you, go to Honolulu. Most of the local people would agree that living there is dreamlike, at least in regards to weather, landscape, and the percentage of happy people on the streets. Sunshine calls for an active lifestyle, so locals of all ages look healthy, fit, and busy getting healthier and fitter. Want your kids to spend more time outside? Honolulu is perfect for biking, playing beach volleyball, surfing, swimming, and so much more. And for the final: if both you and your wallet feel like sending kids to a private school, there’ll be some great options to choose from.

Having Kids Is Awesome

When there are kids in your life, you experience unconditional love and challenge yourself to give your little folks the best of this world. No matter if you are a parent or a parent-to-be, chances are that one day you’ll start thinking of moving to another city for the sake of your children’s future. And when the moment of final decision comes, we really hope this article will help you do the right thing.

Austin, TXBoston, MADallas, TXHonolulu, HINashville, TNPhoenix, AZPittsburgh, PARichmond, VASalt Lake City, UTSan Jose, CA