These Are the Top 10 Cities for Families in the U.S.

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Falling home prices could make it easier to buy a house for your family. Read on for some of the top-ranked cities in the U.S. by safety, affordability, and more. 

The average American adult moves every five to seven years. One of the biggest reasons is family. Zillow data indicates home prices are falling, so more parents can snag an affordable home. Which is the best city to raise a family in?

Parents want cities that offer safe neighborhoods, clean air, and a place to start fresh. And good schools and plenty of parks (love a good park). Oh, and it would be nice if travel were easy. And let’s not forget affordability: Families have bills to pay!

If only the perfect city existed. (If it does, let me know — I’ll pack my bags.) But some towns beat the bell curve in so many categories that they top “Best of” lists like this one. According to data from Scholaroo, these 10 cities outcompete 148 rivals in 33 metrics, including lowest cost of living, least number of school shootings, and many more.

Here are the top 10 cities for families to get you started.

1. Warwick, Rhode Island

Warwick is ranked the safest city in the U.S., hands down. It has a meager violent crime rate and an abundance of firefighters. The number of recorded property crimes is likewise low, and education is affordable compared to other cities.

Best scores: Safety, Leisure

2. Charleston, West Virginia

Charleston offers families a safe place to raise kids. Compared to rival cities, the city is spoiled with hospitals and public schools for parents to choose from. Alcoholism rates are low, and the city scores No. 1 for longest-lasting marriages. Coincidence?

Best scores: Education, Safety

3. Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale offers Florida parents plenty of schools to enroll their children, beating out all competitors to rank No. 1 in the number of public schools on offer. The city has many museums, movie theaters, and restaurants for adults and kids to relax and socialize.

Best scores: Education, Leisure

4. Yonkers, New York

Looking for a breath of fresh air? Yonkers has the best air quality of all ranked cities. They’re flush with police officers, and crime rates are low across the board — the city even scores No. 1 for lowest property crime rates, which means Yonkers residents are unlikely to face robbery.

Best scores: Safety, Healthcare

5. Burlington, Vermont

Sick kids get fast care in Burlington, which is ranked No. 1 for healthcare. The city offers many hospitals and pediatricians, and an above-average number of residents own healthcare insurance. The city is rich in recreational areas and friendly firefighters.

Best scores: Healthcare, Leisure

6. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago boasts a robust healthcare system, with plenty of hospitals and pediatricians. They also offer an above-average number of public schools flush with full-time teachers, indicating a healthy educational environment for kids.

Best scores: Healthcare, Education

7. Charleston, South Carolina

There are plenty of pediatricians in Charleston, and the city rocks an above-average number of residents with health insurance. Always a good sign. Crime rates are low, probably partly due to the above-average number of watch groups hosted by concerned neighbors.

Best scores: Healthcare, Safety

8. Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach offers a safe place to settle. It’s low on crime and stuffed with friendly 911 responders to call upon in an emergency. Residents earn above-average wages compared to other cities measured, a good sign for parents looking to support their kids.

Best scores: Safety, Finances

9. Casper, Wyoming

Fans of social leisure activities may consider Casper, a top contender. It has more recreational areas than any city but Hartford, Connecticut, and there are museums aplenty. The cost of living is low, homeownership is relatively high, and parents can hire nannies for affordable prices.

Best scores: Leisure, Finances

10. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Foodies, movie buffs, and museum explorers may be pleased to find an assortment of all the above in Pittsburgh. The city scores above average on healthcare metrics like number of hospitals/pediatricians, and emergency personnel are plentiful.

Best scores: Leisure, Healthcare

Families should consider two other things: cheap moving costs and low interest rates.

Make moving cheap

A local move costs $1,250, but moves over 1,000 miles go for an average of $4,890. Families can reduce moving costs by enlisting friends to help transport a favorite couch, old chinaware, and clunky home office equipment. Don’t need the futon you picked up from a garage sale 10 years back? Sell it online — and put that bonus income toward decorating your new place.

Lower your interest rates

The biggest cost of homeownership typically boils down to the mortgage. Today’s mortgage rates are high, making loans more expensive than they’ve been since the early 2000s. A great mortgage lender can help offset this by offering reasonable interest rates.

How much can you afford? Plug your dream home into a mortgage calculator for a clear answer for whether it fits into your budget.

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