City Family-Friendliness Score

See how family-friendly a city feels based on schools, safety, parks, and family amenities. Compare cities and adjust priorities for your family.

6 dimensions: Schools, Safety, Parks, Amenities, Housing, Cost

Check how family-friendly a city feels

Combine schools, safety, parks, and family amenities into a simple index.

Pick one or two cities, then choose what matters most for your family.

Last Updated: December 16, 2025

Understanding City Family-Friendliness Score: Schools, Safety, Parks, and Family Support

Choosing where to raise a family is one of the most important decisions parents make, affecting children's education, safety, development, and overall well-being. The City Family-Friendliness Score helps you evaluate cities for family life by combining six critical factors—school quality, safety and crime levels, parks and green space access, family amenities, housing suitability, and overall cost of living—into a single 0-100 index. This tool enables students, professionals, researchers, and everyday people to compare cities based on family infrastructure, identify locations that offer the best balance of educational opportunities, safety, recreation, and affordability, and understand how different priorities affect family-friendliness assessments.

For students and researchers, this tool demonstrates practical applications of weighted composite scoring, infrastructure assessment, and multi-dimensional evaluation. The family-friendliness calculation shows how multiple factors (schools, safety, parks, amenities, housing, cost) can be combined using weighted formulas to create meaningful metrics. Business professionals can use family-friendliness comparisons to evaluate relocation opportunities, understand how different cities support family life, and assess whether job offers in different cities provide comparable family infrastructure. The tool helps HR professionals and job seekers understand that family-friendliness is multidimensional—a city might excel in schools but struggle with affordability, or offer great parks but have safety concerns.

For the common person considering a move or evaluating their current city, this tool answers fundamental questions: Which cities have the best schools for my children? How safe are different cities for families? Which cities offer the most parks and family amenities? How affordable are cities for families? The tool personalizes results by allowing you to select priority profiles (balanced, schools first, safety first, green space first) and child age groups (toddler, elementary, teen, none), which adjust weights to match your family's specific needs. Taxpayers and budget-conscious families can use family-friendliness data to identify cities that offer good schools, safety, and amenities without breaking the bank, enabling them to provide quality family life while managing costs effectively.

The City Family-Friendliness Score goes beyond simple school or safety rankings to provide a holistic view of family infrastructure. By combining core family factors (schools, safety, parks, amenities) with support factors (housing suitability, cost), the tool recognizes that successful family life requires all these elements. Whether you're comparing two specific cities, exploring how different priorities affect rankings, or understanding the trade-offs between cities with different dimension profiles, this tool serves as your comprehensive guide to evaluating cities for family life based on education, safety, recreation, amenities, housing, and affordability.

Understanding the Basics

School Quality Score

The School Quality Score (0-100) measures the overall quality of education in a city based on aggregated school ratings, test scores, graduation rates, and educational outcomes. Higher scores indicate cities with stronger school systems, better academic performance, and more educational opportunities. This score is based on city-wide aggregates and may not reflect individual school or district performance—a city with a moderate score might have excellent schools in certain districts and struggling schools in others. The score helps you compare cities at a high level, but always research specific schools and districts when making decisions about your children's education.

Safety/Crime Score

The Safety/Crime Score (0-100) reflects relative crime levels in a city, where higher scores indicate lower crime rates and safer conditions. This score is based on crime index data (violent crime and property crime) and is inverted so that higher scores mean safer cities. The score represents city-wide averages and may not reflect neighborhood-level variation—a city with a high overall safety score might have unsafe neighborhoods, while a city with a lower score might have very safe neighborhoods. Crime statistics are relative indices, not guarantees of safety, and actual safety depends on many factors including neighborhood, time of day, and individual circumstances.

Parks and Green Space Score

The Parks and Green Space Score (0-100) measures access to parks, playgrounds, and outdoor recreation areas based on park acreage per capita, green space access, and proximity to recreational facilities. Higher scores indicate cities with more parks, better green space access, and more opportunities for outdoor family activities. This dimension is especially important for families with young children who need safe places to play, as well as families who value outdoor recreation and nature access. Cities with high parks scores typically offer more opportunities for family activities, exercise, and community engagement through park programs and events.

Family Amenities Score

The Family Amenities Score (0-100) measures access to family-oriented services and facilities including libraries, recreation centers, playgrounds, kid-friendly activities, daycare availability, and family-oriented community programs. Higher scores indicate cities with richer amenity offerings that support family life, such as public libraries with children's programs, community centers with family activities, and organized programs for children and teens. This dimension reflects how well a city supports families through public services and community resources, which can significantly impact quality of life and children's development opportunities.

Housing Suitability Score

The Housing Suitability Score (0-100) measures the availability of family-appropriate housing including family-sized homes, multi-bedroom units, properties with yards, and housing types suitable for families with children. Higher scores indicate cities with more family-friendly housing options, such as single-family homes with yards, larger apartments suitable for families, and neighborhoods designed for family living. This dimension reflects how well a city's housing stock accommodates family needs, which is crucial for families who need space for children, outdoor play areas, and room to grow.

Overall Cost Score

The Overall Cost Score (0-100) measures affordability from a family perspective, including housing costs, childcare expenses, and everyday family expenses. Higher scores indicate more affordable cities where families can stretch their income further. This dimension is especially important for families who need to balance quality of life (good schools, safe neighborhoods, amenities) with financial constraints. A city might have excellent schools and safety but be unaffordable for many families, while another city might offer good-enough infrastructure at a more manageable cost.

Core Family Score and Housing/Cost Support Score

The tool calculates two composite scores: Core Family Score (weighted combination of schools, safety, parks, and amenities) and Housing/Cost Support Score (weighted combination of housing suitability and cost). The Core Family Score represents the primary family infrastructure factors, while the Housing/Cost Support Score represents the financial and practical support factors. The Overall Family-Friendliness Index combines these scores with a 75/25 weighting: Overall Index = (Core Family Score × 0.75) + (Housing/Cost Support Score × 0.25). This weighting emphasizes core family factors while still considering housing and affordability, recognizing that families need both quality infrastructure and financial feasibility.

Priority Profiles and Child Age Group Adjustments

The tool allows you to select priority profiles (Balanced, Schools First, Safety First, Green Space First) and child age groups (Toddler, Elementary, Teen, None) which adjust dimension weights to match your family's specific needs. For example, "Schools First" increases school weight by 10% while reducing cost and amenities weights. "Toddler" age group increases parks and amenities weights (for playgrounds and daycare) while reducing school weight. "Elementary" age group increases school and safety weights while reducing parks weight. These adjustments ensure that city rankings reflect your priorities and your children's current needs, making the tool more relevant for your specific family situation.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use This Tool

Step 1: Enter Your Primary City

Start by entering the name of the city you're interested in evaluating. Type the city name in the "City" field and select the corresponding state from the dropdown menu. The tool includes data for approximately 85 major US cities with school quality, safety, parks, amenities, housing, and cost data. If your city isn't in the database, the tool will display default moderate estimates, but results will be less accurate for specific comparisons.

Step 2: Select Your Priority Profile

Choose a priority profile that matches your family's priorities: Balanced (equal emphasis on all factors), Schools First (emphasizes school quality), Safety First (emphasizes low crime), or Green Space First (emphasizes parks and outdoor access). This selection adjusts dimension weights to reflect your priorities. For example, if school quality is your top concern, select "Schools First" to see how cities rank when schools are weighted more heavily. Experiment with different profiles to see how they affect city rankings and identify cities that align with your specific priorities.

Step 3: Select Your Youngest Child's Age Group

Choose the age group of your youngest child: Toddler (increases parks and amenities weights for playgrounds and daycare), Elementary (increases school and safety weights), Teen (increases school and amenities weights for activities and programs), or None (no age-based adjustment). This selection makes small adjustments to weights to reflect age-appropriate priorities. For example, families with toddlers might prioritize parks and playgrounds more than school quality, while families with elementary-age children might prioritize schools and safety more heavily.

Step 4: (Optional) Add a Comparison City

To compare two cities side-by-side, enter a second city name and state in the "Comparison City" fields. Both cities will be evaluated using the same priority profile and age group settings, ensuring fair comparisons. The comparison view shows composite scores, dimension breakdowns, and highlights where each city excels or struggles. This helps you understand trade-offs—for example, one city might have better schools but higher costs, while another offers better affordability but lower school quality.

Step 5: Review the Results

After clicking "Calculate" or submitting the form, the tool displays comprehensive results including key performance indicators (KPIs), visualizations, and detailed metrics. The KPI section shows the overall family-friendliness index, core family score, housing/cost support score, strongest dimension, and weakest dimension at a glance. Visualizations help you understand the data through charts and graphs comparing the six dimensions. The detailed results section provides a complete breakdown of all dimension scores, weights used, and composite calculations for your selected city (and comparison city, if provided).

Step 6: Interpret the Comparison Summary and Takeaways

If you compared two cities, read the comparison summary which explains how the cities differ in overall family-friendliness and specific dimensions. The summary identifies which city has a higher index and explains the key differences. For example, it might state that "Raleigh's family-friendliness index (78) is about 12 points higher than Miami's (66) with your school-focused priorities. Raleigh's strength is Schools, while Miami's strength is Family Amenities." The key takeaways section highlights important insights, such as strongest and weakest dimensions, biggest gaps between cities, and provides actionable information for decision-making.

Formulas and Behind-the-Scenes Logic

Weight Profile Derivation

Weights are derived from priority profile and child age group, starting from a balanced base:

Base Balanced Weights:

Schools = 0.25, Safety = 0.25, Parks = 0.15, Amenities = 0.15, Housing = 0.10, Cost = 0.10

If Schools First: School Weight += 0.10, Cost Weight -= 0.05, Amenities Weight -= 0.05

If Safety First: Safety Weight += 0.10, Cost Weight -= 0.05, Parks Weight -= 0.05

If Green Space First: Parks Weight += 0.10, Amenities Weight += 0.05, Cost Weight -= 0.05, Housing Weight -= 0.10

Age Group Adjustments: Small nudges (±0.05) based on child age

Normalize: Scale all weights to sum to 1.0

After applying priority profile and age group adjustments, weights are normalized to sum to 1.0 (100%) to ensure the composite scores stay on a 0-100 scale. This normalization preserves the relative proportions while ensuring mathematical consistency.

Core Family Score Calculation

The Core Family Score combines schools, safety, parks, and amenities using normalized weights:

Core Weight Sum = School Weight + Safety Weight + Parks Weight + Amenities Weight

Core Family Score = (School Score × School Weight + Safety Score × Safety Weight + Parks Score × Parks Weight + Amenities Score × Amenities Weight) / Core Weight Sum

The core family score focuses on the four primary family infrastructure factors (schools, safety, parks, amenities), using only the weights for these four dimensions. This ensures that the core score reflects family infrastructure quality independent of housing and cost considerations.

Housing/Cost Support Score Calculation

The Housing/Cost Support Score combines housing suitability and cost using normalized weights:

Support Weight Sum = Housing Weight + Cost Weight

Housing/Cost Support Score = (Housing Score × Housing Weight + Cost Score × Cost Weight) / Support Weight Sum

The housing/cost support score focuses on the two support factors (housing suitability and affordability), using only the weights for these two dimensions. This ensures that the support score reflects financial and practical feasibility independent of core family infrastructure.

Overall Family-Friendliness Index Calculation

The Overall Index combines core family score and housing/cost support score with a 75/25 weighting:

Overall Index = (Core Family Score × 0.75) + (Housing/Cost Support Score × 0.25)

Result = Round(Overall Index), clamped to 0-100

The 75/25 weighting emphasizes core family factors (schools, safety, parks, amenities) while still considering housing and cost support. This recognizes that families need both quality infrastructure and financial feasibility, but core factors are more important for family well-being. The result is rounded to the nearest integer and clamped to 0-100.

Worked Example: Raleigh vs. Miami with Schools First Profile

Let's calculate the family-friendliness score for Raleigh, North Carolina, using sample data with "Schools First" priority and "Elementary" age group:

Raleigh Infrastructure Data:

School Quality: 75
Safety/Crime: 62
Parks & Green Space: 82
Family Amenities: 80
Housing Suitability: 68
Overall Cost: 52

Weight Calculation (Schools First + Elementary):

Base: Schools = 0.25, Safety = 0.25, Parks = 0.15, Amenities = 0.15, Housing = 0.10, Cost = 0.10

Schools First: Schools += 0.10, Cost -= 0.05, Amenities -= 0.05

Elementary: Schools += 0.05, Safety += 0.05, Parks -= 0.05, Cost -= 0.05

Adjusted: Schools = 0.40, Safety = 0.30, Parks = 0.10, Amenities = 0.10, Housing = 0.10, Cost = 0.00

Normalized (sum = 1.0): Schools = 0.40, Safety = 0.30, Parks = 0.10, Amenities = 0.10, Housing = 0.10, Cost = 0.00

Core Family Score:

Core Weight Sum = 0.40 + 0.30 + 0.10 + 0.10 = 0.90

Core Score = (75 × 0.40 + 62 × 0.30 + 82 × 0.10 + 80 × 0.10) / 0.90

= (30 + 18.6 + 8.2 + 8) / 0.90 = 64.8 / 0.90 = 72.0

Housing/Cost Support Score:

Support Weight Sum = 0.10 + 0.00 = 0.10

Support Score = (68 × 0.10 + 52 × 0.00) / 0.10 = 6.8 / 0.10 = 68.0

Overall Index:

Overall = (72.0 × 0.75) + (68.0 × 0.25) = 54 + 17 = 71.0

Raleigh Family-Friendliness Index: 71/100 (Good)

Now let's compare with Miami, Florida, using the same weights:

Miami Infrastructure Data:

School Quality: 55
Safety/Crime: 45
Parks & Green Space: 70
Family Amenities: 75
Housing Suitability: 48
Overall Cost: 35

Core Family Score:

Core Score = (55 × 0.40 + 45 × 0.30 + 70 × 0.10 + 75 × 0.10) / 0.90

= (22 + 13.5 + 7 + 7.5) / 0.90 = 50 / 0.90 = 55.6

Housing/Cost Support Score:

Support Score = (48 × 0.10 + 35 × 0.00) / 0.10 = 4.8 / 0.10 = 48.0

Overall Index:

Overall = (55.6 × 0.75) + (48.0 × 0.25) = 41.7 + 12 = 53.7 ≈ 54

Miami Family-Friendliness Index: 54/100 (Moderate)

With "Schools First" priority, Raleigh (71) scores significantly higher than Miami (54) because Raleigh has much better school quality (75 vs. 55) and safety (62 vs. 45), which are weighted heavily in this profile. Miami's strengths in family amenities (75) and parks (70) don't compensate for its weaknesses in schools and safety when schools are prioritized. This example demonstrates how priority profiles affect rankings—Raleigh ranks higher when schools are prioritized, but the gap might be smaller with a "Balanced" or "Green Space First" profile.

Practical Use Cases

Student Research Project: Family Infrastructure Analysis

A student studying urban planning needs to analyze how different cities support family life. They use the tool to compare Raleigh (overall 71 with schools first) with Miami (overall 54 with schools first). The tool reveals that Raleigh excels in schools (75) and safety (62) but has moderate cost (52), while Miami struggles with schools (55) and safety (45) but offers good amenities (75). The student calculates that Raleigh's 17-point advantage is driven primarily by school and safety differences, supporting their research on how educational infrastructure and safety affect family-friendliness and their thesis on urban development strategies for family-oriented communities.

Professional Relocation: Evaluating Cities for Family Move

A professional with elementary-age children receives job offers in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Miami, Florida. They use the tool with "Schools First" priority and "Elementary" age group to compare family-friendliness. Raleigh shows overall index 71 (good), with strong schools (75) and safety (62), while Miami shows overall index 54 (moderate), with weaker schools (55) and safety (45). The tool reveals that Raleigh offers significantly better educational infrastructure and safety, which are priorities for their elementary-age children. This comparison helps them understand that despite Miami's amenities and climate, Raleigh might be better for their family's educational and safety priorities.

Researcher: Studying Family Infrastructure and Quality of Life

A researcher studying family quality of life uses the tool to analyze how different priority profiles affect city rankings. They compare multiple cities using "Balanced," "Schools First," "Safety First," and "Green Space First" profiles to understand how different priorities affect assessments. The tool reveals that cities rank differently under different profiles—school-focused cities like Plano rank higher with "Schools First," while park-rich cities like Minneapolis rank higher with "Green Space First." This analysis supports their academic work on family quality-of-life measurement and helps them understand how different stakeholder groups might evaluate cities differently.

Common Person: Finding Affordable Family-Friendly Cities

A family planning to relocate wants to find cities with good schools, safety, and parks that are also affordable. They use the tool with "Balanced" priority and compare several cities: Des Moines (overall 75), Omaha (overall 70), Indianapolis (overall 68), and Kansas City (overall 65). The tool shows that Des Moines ranks highest due to strong schools (72), safety (62), parks (82), and good affordability (68). They experiment with "Schools First" priority and see that Plano, Texas (overall 82) ranks highest due to excellent schools (85) and safety (75), but it's less affordable (45). This analysis helps them identify cities that offer good family infrastructure within their budget.

Tax Payer: Balancing Family Quality and Affordability

A taxpayer with children wants to find cities that offer good family infrastructure without breaking the bank. They use the tool with "Balanced" priority and compare San Francisco (overall 58, cost 18) with Des Moines (overall 75, cost 68). The tool reveals that Des Moines offers better overall family-friendliness (75 vs. 58) and much better affordability (68 vs. 18), despite San Francisco's strengths in amenities (88) and parks (85). The taxpayer calculates that moving from San Francisco to Des Moines would save approximately $3,000/month in housing costs while maintaining good schools (72) and safety (62), significantly improving their family's financial situation while maintaining quality family infrastructure.

Family with Toddlers: Prioritizing Parks and Playgrounds

A family with toddlers wants to find cities with excellent parks, playgrounds, and family amenities, with less concern about schools (since children are too young). They use the tool with "Green Space First" priority and "Toddler" age group, which increases parks and amenities weights. They compare several cities: Minneapolis (overall 78), Denver (overall 75), Portland (overall 72), and Seattle (overall 70). The tool shows that Minneapolis ranks highest due to excellent parks (90) and amenities (85), while offering good schools (72) and safety (48) for future needs. This analysis helps them identify cities that offer the best outdoor play opportunities and family amenities for their toddlers' current needs.

Understanding Why Two Cities Have Similar Scores with Different Profiles

A user notices that San Francisco (overall 58 with balanced) and Miami (overall 54 with balanced) have similar scores but wants to understand the differences. The tool reveals that San Francisco excels in schools (70), parks (85), and amenities (88) but struggles with safety (42), housing (28), and cost (18). Miami has more balanced but lower scores across most dimensions: schools (55), safety (45), parks (70), amenities (75), housing (48), cost (35). The user learns that similar overall scores can result from different dimension combinations—San Francisco prioritizes quality infrastructure at the cost of affordability, while Miami offers more balanced but lower-quality infrastructure. This understanding helps them identify which city aligns better with their specific priorities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Neighborhood-Level Variation in Schools and Safety

The tool provides city-wide averages, but actual school quality and safety vary dramatically within cities based on neighborhood, district, and location. A city with a moderate school score might have excellent schools in certain districts and struggling schools in others. A city with a high safety score might have unsafe neighborhoods, while a city with a lower score might have very safe neighborhoods. Don't assume the entire city has uniform conditions. Always research specific neighborhoods, school districts, and local crime maps when making decisions about your children's education and safety.

Treating Safety Scores as Safety Guarantees

Safety scores are relative indices based on city-wide crime statistics, not guarantees of safety. Crime varies dramatically by neighborhood, time of day, and other factors. A city with a high safety score doesn't guarantee your family will be safe, and a city with a lower score doesn't mean your family will be unsafe. The score can help compare cities at a high level, but you should always research specific neighborhoods, talk to residents, check local crime maps, visit in person, and take appropriate safety precautions regardless of the score.

Assuming School Scores Reflect Individual School Quality

School quality scores are based on aggregated city-level data (test scores, ratings, graduation rates), not individual school performance. A city with a high school score might have excellent schools in certain districts and struggling schools in others. School quality varies enormously within districts and cities. Always research specific schools, districts, and programs that your children would attend. Use school scores for city-level comparisons, but don't assume your children will attend schools matching the city average—research actual schools in neighborhoods you're considering.

Not Selecting Appropriate Priority Profile or Age Group

The tool allows you to customize priorities and child age groups, but if you don't select the appropriate options, you'll get rankings that don't match your family's needs. If school quality is your top priority, select "Schools First" rather than "Balanced." If you have toddlers, select "Toddler" age group to increase parks and amenities weights. If you have elementary-age children, select "Elementary" to increase school and safety weights. Always adjust these settings to match your family's specific priorities and circumstances for more relevant rankings.

Focusing Only on Overall Index Without Examining Dimensions

The overall family-friendliness index is useful for quick comparisons, but it can mask important differences in dimension scores. Two cities might have similar overall scores but differ significantly in specific areas—one might excel in schools and safety but struggle with affordability, while another has balanced scores across all dimensions. Always examine individual dimension scores (schools, safety, parks, amenities, housing, cost) to understand what contributes to the overall score and which factors matter most to you. A city with a high overall score but low scores in dimensions you care about might not be ideal.

Assuming Data Is Real-Time or Perfectly Accurate

The data is compiled from various public sources and represents approximate city-wide averages that may be 1-2 years old. It is not updated in real-time and may not reflect recent changes in school performance, crime rates, park development, or cost of living. School quality can change as districts implement new programs, crime rates fluctuate, and cities develop new parks. Use the tool as a starting point for research, not as a precise, up-to-the-minute assessment. Always supplement with current data from local sources, recent news, school district websites, and personal research when making important decisions.

Making Relocation Decisions Based Solely on Family-Friendliness Scores

Family-friendliness scores are one factor among many to consider when choosing where to raise a family. Don't make relocation decisions based solely on these scores without considering specific job opportunities, extended family proximity, personal preferences, climate, healthcare access, and other quality-of-life factors. A city might have excellent family-friendliness scores but limited job opportunities, or poor healthcare access, or be far from extended family. Use family-friendliness scores as a starting point for research, then conduct deeper investigation into cities that interest you, visit in person, talk to residents, and consider all relevant factors before making decisions.

Advanced Tips & Strategies

Experiment with Different Priority Profiles to Understand Trade-offs

Try different priority profiles (Balanced, Schools First, Safety First, Green Space First) to see how they affect city rankings. A city might rank highly with "Schools First" but lower with "Green Space First" if it has excellent schools but limited parks. Understanding these trade-offs helps you identify cities that consistently rank well across multiple profiles (indicating balanced family infrastructure) versus cities that only rank well with specific priorities (indicating specialized strengths). This experimentation helps you find cities that match your family's specific needs.

Adjust Age Group Settings to Match Your Children's Current Needs

Select the age group of your youngest child to get weights that match your children's current needs. Families with toddlers should select "Toddler" to prioritize parks and playgrounds, while families with elementary-age children should select "Elementary" to prioritize schools and safety. Families with teens should select "Teen" to prioritize schools and activities. If you have children of different ages, consider running separate analyses for each age group to see how rankings differ, or use the age group of your youngest child to ensure all needs are considered.

Research Specific Schools and Districts for Shortlisted Cities

After using the tool to identify cities with favorable school quality scores, research specific schools and districts within those cities. City-wide averages may not reflect conditions in specific schools your children would attend. Use school district websites, GreatSchools.org, state education department data, and local parent reviews to understand actual school quality. Visit schools if possible, talk to parents, and consider factors like class sizes, special programs, extracurricular activities, and school culture that aren't captured in aggregate scores.

Check Neighborhood-Level Safety and Crime Data

After using the tool to identify cities with favorable safety scores, research neighborhood-level crime data for specific areas you're considering. City-wide averages may not reflect conditions in specific neighborhoods. Use local police department crime maps, neighborhood review sites, and talk to residents to understand actual safety conditions. A city with high overall safety scores might have unsafe neighborhoods, while a city with lower scores might have very safe neighborhoods. Neighborhood-level research helps you make more accurate assessments.

Factor in Cost When Comparing Family-Friendliness

When comparing cities, consider both the overall family-friendliness index and the cost score. A city with a high overall index but low cost score might be unaffordable for your family, while a city with a moderate overall index but high cost score might offer better value. Calculate the ratio of family-friendliness to cost to identify cities that offer the best balance. For example, Des Moines (overall 75, cost 68) offers better value than San Francisco (overall 58, cost 18) for budget-conscious families, despite San Francisco's higher absolute scores in some dimensions.

Combine with Other City Insights Tools for Comprehensive Analysis

Use this tool in conjunction with other city insights tools like cost-of-living calculators, tax burden comparisons, climate comfort indices, commute burden indices, and quality-of-life composite scores. Family-friendliness scores provide one perspective, but combining multiple tools gives you a more comprehensive view. For example, a city might have high family-friendliness scores but also high tax burden or poor climate comfort. Use multiple tools to understand the full picture before making relocation decisions.

Visit Cities and Neighborhoods in Person Before Making Decisions

After using the tool to identify cities with favorable family-friendliness scores, visit those cities and specific neighborhoods in person if possible. Walk through neighborhoods, visit parks, tour schools, talk to residents, and get a feel for the community. Scores and data can't capture intangibles like community feel, neighborhood character, local culture, and quality of life. Personal visits help you understand whether a city's family-friendliness scores translate to a good fit for your family's specific needs, preferences, and lifestyle.

Sources & References

The data and methodologies used in this tool are informed by authoritative sources on family welfare, education, and community resources:

•National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): nces.ed.gov - Official education statistics including school performance data, enrollment, and educational attainment.
•FBI - Crime Data Explorer: crime-data-explorer.fr.cloud.gov - Official crime statistics for safety calculations.
•Trust for Public Land - ParkScore Index: tpl.org/parkscore - Data on park access, acreage, and amenities by city.
•U.S. Census Bureau - Families & Living Arrangements: census.gov/topics/families - Data on household composition, housing characteristics, and family demographics.
•Child Care Aware of America: childcareaware.org - Research on childcare availability, costs, and quality by state and metro area.

Reviewed by travel & finance professionals

Last updated: December 2025

Based on FMCSA moving guidelines

For Educational Purposes Only - Not Professional Advice

This calculator provides estimates for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute travel, financial, legal, or professional advice. Results are based on the information you provide and general guidelines that may not account for your individual circumstances. Costs, fees, and regulations change frequently. Always consult with a qualified licensed moving company or relocation specialist for advice specific to your situation. Information should be verified with official FMCSA.gov sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about family-friendliness metrics, school quality, safety scores, data sources, and how to use this tool for relocation planning.

What does the City Family-Friendliness Score measure?

The score is a composite index (0-100) that combines six dimensions: school quality, safety/crime levels, parks and green space access, family amenities (libraries, playgrounds, programs), housing suitability for families, and overall cost of living. Higher scores suggest a city may be more welcoming for families with children based on these factors.

What factors go into the score (schools, crime, parks, etc.)?

The core family score (75% of the index) combines: school quality ratings, safety/crime indices, parks per capita, and family amenities. The remaining 25% factors in housing suitability (family-sized units, yards) and overall affordability for families. You can adjust weights by choosing a priority profile.

Where does the school and crime data come from?

School quality scores are based on aggregated school ratings and test score data at the city level. Crime scores use publicly available crime index data. Both are city-wide aggregates and may not reflect individual school or neighborhood conditions. Data is typically 1-2 years old.

Is this telling me where I should raise my kids?

No. This tool provides a high-level starting point for comparing cities, not personalized advice. The best city for your family depends on many factors we can't model: your specific school needs, job location, extended family, budget, lifestyle preferences, and much more. Use this as one input among many in your research.

Why might my experience differ from the score?

City-level scores mask enormous variation. A city with a moderate school score may have excellent schools in certain districts. A city with high crime may have very safe neighborhoods. Housing costs vary block by block. Always research specific neighborhoods, visit in person, and talk to locals before making decisions.

How do the priority profiles affect my results?

Priority profiles adjust how much each dimension contributes to the final score. 'Balanced' weights all factors evenly. 'Schools First' emphasizes school quality. 'Safety First' emphasizes low crime. 'Green Space First' emphasizes parks and outdoor access. The child age group also makes small adjustments (e.g., toddlers weight parks higher, teens weight schools higher).

Can I trust the safety score for my family's safety?

The safety score is a relative index based on city-wide crime statistics, not a guarantee of safety. Crime varies dramatically by neighborhood, time of day, and other factors. The score can help compare cities at a high level, but you should always research specific neighborhoods, talk to residents, and check local crime maps before making decisions.

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