Are you looking for the perfect place to settle down? A new study suggests that it’s time to leave the coastal cities and head for the Midwest. To that point, researchers have named St. Louis, Missouri as the most family-friendly city in the United States.
Researchers working with Backyard Oasis analyzed the most populated cities in each state, considering crucial factors such as healthcare quality, safety, cost of living, and access to education to determine the best environments for raising a family. St. Louis claimed the top spot with a composite score of 7.49.
“The Gateway to the West” owes its top score to its superior healthcare system, affordable property prices, and an outstanding quality of life index. The city’s healthcare index of 81.09 was particularly impressive and the highest of any city in the top 10. Researchers say this makes it a haven for families prioritizing medical care and overall well-being.
Hot on St. Louis’s heels is Tulsa, Oklahoma, securing the second spot on this list with a score of 7.46. Tulsa’s efficient healthcare system, combined with notably low commute times, contributes to a balanced family life. The Backyard Oasis team notes that the city’s extremely low traffic commute time index (19.05) ensures that families spend more quality time together rather than battling traffic. For comparison, the traffic commute time index in New York City was 43.56, one of the worst on the list — contributing to the Big Apple finishing 95th for family-friendliness.
Rounding out the top three is an unexpected contender: Rapid City, South Dakota. With a composite score of 7.43, Rapid City stands out for its safety, favorable climate, and overall affordability. Researchers say the city boasts a safety index of 51.97 and a remarkably low pollution index of 18.88, providing a clean and secure environment for families to thrive. In comparison, Los Angeles (82nd overall) had a dismal pollution index of 67.68 — the second-worst score in the entire poll, behind only Newark, New Jersey (71.07).
Top 10 U.S. Cities for Families
| U.S. City | Cost Of Living Index | Quality of Life Index | Composite Score |
| St. Louis, Missouri | 61.72 | 213.43 | 7.49 |
| Tulsa, Oklahoma | 58.90 | 223.70 | 7.46 |
| Rapid City, South Dakota | 57.91 | 220.98 | 7.43 |
| Cincinnati, Ohio | 54.80 | 213.15 | 7.41 |
| Madison, Wisconsin | 61.15 | 222.64 | 7.31 |
| Lincoln, Nebraska | 60.18 | 230.51 | 7.29 |
| Tacoma, Washington | 71.38 | 210.78 | 7.23 |
| Virginia Beach, Virginia | 61.84 | 232.11 | 7.21 |
| Indianapolis, Indiana | 64.32 | 200.00 | 7.18 |
| Raleigh, North Carolina | 71.50 | 208.78 | 7.16 |
The study also revealed some interesting trends across the top-ranked cities. For instance, Lincoln, Nebraska, boasts the shortest commute times among the top 10, with a traffic commute time index of just 12.22. This allows families to enjoy more leisure time together, which researchers say is a crucial factor in overall life satisfaction.
Education costs varied significantly among the top cities. While Rapid City offers relatively affordable education with international primary school yearly costs at $8,500, cities like Tacoma see higher prices, with yearly costs reaching $31,420 for international primary education.
Healthcare accessibility also played a crucial role in the rankings. Madison, Wisconsin, stands out with an uninsured rate for children under 18 of just 1.50%, significantly lower than the national average.
“Creating a nurturing environment for families is about more than just the basics—it’s about the quality of life that a city can provide. It’s fascinating to see how cities like St. Louis and Tulsa have managed to balance affordability with top-tier healthcare and strong educational systems, making them standout choices for families,” says Andy Wu, CEO of Backyard Oasis, in a statement to StudyFinds.
“Family well-being is intricately linked to the communities we choose to call home, and these cities are leading the way in providing the support families need to thrive.”
Methodology
The study, which assessed cities across 12 important factors, weighted each criterion based on its significance to family well-being. Higher importance was placed on areas like safety and healthcare. Data was primarily sourced from Numbeo and combined into a composite score, offering a clear and objective ranking of the most family-friendly cities.