PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN/NEXSTAR) – When it comes to the best place to raise a family, what is the most important quality in a city?
A study by WalletHub on the best and worst places to raise a family ranked 182 cities based on different qualifiers including the cost of housing; quality of education; health and safety; socioeconomics; and opportunities for fun and recreation.
California had five cities in the top 10 – Fremont, Irvine, San Jose, San Diego and Huntington Beach – with Fremont the top city overall.
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.
Fremont was followed by Overland Park, Kansas, where the median income is even higher ($140,000) after adjusting for the cost of living. Along with a low 2.4% unemployment rate, WalletHub also noted that Overland Park has the second-highest percentage of families with two parents, along with the 10th lowest rate of separation and divorce.
Some of the cities that saw the largest increases in population according to the most recent census data, such as Raleigh, North Carolina; and Washington D.C.; were also ranked favorably.
“Both directly and indirectly, where you live impacts your and your children’s quality of life,” said Rona Milch Novick Ph.D., Dean of the Azrieli Graduate School of Jewish Education and Administration. “Directly through the offerings of the community – ranging from parks and green space for outdoor exploring to museums, schools and extracurricular opportunities. Indirectly through how available parents and family are to their children.”
See the top 10 cities below:
| Overall Rank | City | Total Score | Family Fun Rank | Health & Safety Rank | Education & Child Care Rank | Affordability Rank | Socio-economics Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fremont, CA | 73.55 | 78 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 1 |
| 2 | Overland Park, KS | 70.11 | 118 | 21 | 13 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | Irvine, CA | 68.99 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 49 | 13 |
| 4 | Plano, TX | 68.05 | 74 | 5 | 29 | 7 | 4 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | 64.14 | 72 | 109 | 7 | 8 | 20 |
| 6 | Gilbert, AZ | 64.02 | 79 | 20 | 43 | 12 | 5 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | 63.88 | 37 | 17 | 10 | 56 | 15 |
| 8 | San Diego, CA | 63.67 | 5 | 25 | 12 | 82 | 26 |
| 9 | Boise, ID | 63.34 | 32 | 16 | 50 | 23 | 24 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach, CA | 63.28 | 84 | 18 | 4 | 81 | 8 |
Memphis, Tenn. ranked worst with low scores across the board, including the lowest in the health and safety category.