School’s almost out for the summer, but for some parents, the homework might be just beginning. For those hoping to move before school starts next year but aren’t sure where to go, a new survey can point you in some smart directions—that is, if you can afford it.

WalletHub has just released its 2023 Best & Worst Places to Raise a Family report, ranking how America’s 180 biggest cities stack up by analyzing 45 key metrics that matter to parents. They include local school quality, crime rates, economic factors such as income and unemployment, as well as access to child care, health care, and recreation.

The most family-friendly city of all this year is Fremont, CA, which ranks No. 1 in terms of education and child care, and No. 2 for health and safety. And despite being located in the pricey San Francisco Bay Area, Fremont comes in 18th on the list for affordability, which means it’s a relative bargain for the area.

In fact, five of the top 10 kid-friendly metros are in California. However, decent options are scattered far and wide, and some surprising locales made the list, with Overland Park, KS, coming in at No. 2.

At the bottom—that is, the worst for families—is Cleveland, OH, which ranks dead last for socioeconomics and very low for education, health, and affordability. Right behind Cleveland is Memphis, TN, flagged as the worst in the data set for violent crime.

The family-friendly premium: How much parents pay

What these rankings make abundantly clear is that parents who want the best for their kids might find they’ll have to make some trade-offs. For instance, Overland Park was tops for affordability, but only 115th for “family fun”—a category that includes access to playgrounds, parks, ice rinks, and other amenities.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles ranks No. 1 for family fun but No. 174 for affordability. The high cost of housing is a large part of the problem, with Realtor.com® data showing that the median listing price here hovers at $1.2 million.

Aside from housing, taxes—particularly for public schools—is another big piece of the financial burden families must shoulder if they want the best education and opportunities for their kids.

“Quality schooling and affordable housing are key factors families should consider when setting down roots,” says Susan J. Paik, a professor at the School of Educational Studies of Claremont Graduate University and one of WalletHub’s experts for the report. “The cost of living, especially housing options, matters for growing families.”

For a closer look at what “family-friendly” will cost in terms of housing, here are the WalletHub rankings along with Realtor.com data on the median home prices for each area.

10 most family-friendly cities

1. Fremont, CA: $1.25 million
2. Overland Park, KS: $638,950
3. Irvine, CA: $1.4 million
4. Plano, TX: $550,000
5. South Burlington, VT: $564,000
6. San Diego, CA: $999,000
7. San Jose, CA: $1.25 million
8. Scottsdale, AZ: $939,000
9. Gilbert, AZ: $600,000
10. San Francisco, CA: $1.46 million

Does a family-friendly city make a difference?

Parents have good reason to weigh all pertinent factors when they decide where to raise their families, due to a growing body of research that finds just how malleable kids’ minds are to their surroundings.

“There is a growing body of research suggesting that a child’s development and a family’s quality of life are influenced greatly by the city in which they live,” says Cristina Santamaría Graff, an associate professor of education at Indiana University Purdue University and one of the experts consulted for this report. “More than ever, local officials need to consider the well-being of families inclusive of economic, physical, social, emotional, and environmental factors.”

So what should parents be thinking about as they peruse the WalletHub report?

“Families should strongly reflect on how places connect with and support their values as a family,” says Sherrill W. Hayes, director of the School of Data Science and Analytics at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. “This is sometimes a difficult question for young parents since they may just be figuring themselves out as adults, but location determines access to jobs, activities, educational opportunities, social networks, and other intangibles.”

The post America’s Most Family-Friendly City of 2023 Is a Surprise—and May Not Cost as Much as You’d Think appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.