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Top Family-Friendly Cities in the US Revealed

Study ranks cities based on crime rates, cost of living, and family-friendly amenities, with public school quality as top priority.

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aperville, Illinois has been named the number one city in the US for families by Niche. This suburb of Chicago boasts a dense suburban feel with most residents owning their homes. Public schools in Naperville received an A+ grade and the city excelled in job market, housing, and outdoor activities. The quality of public schools was the top factor in determining the ranking.

    Residents can enjoy various family-friendly attractions such as Centennial Beach, which features a man-made sandy shore and interactive exhibits at the DuPage Children's Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the numerous parks and breweries in Naperville.

    The Woodlands, Texas, ranked second on the list, is a densely populated suburb with affordable housing prices. Families can visit the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center for outdoor swimming or explore kid-friendly spots like Cheeky Monkeys indoor playground and 7 Acre Wood park.

    Arlington, Virginia, took third place, offering an urban experience with highly ranked public and private schools. However, its expensive real estate market and high cost of living dragged it down. Irvine, California, and Columbia, Maryland, rounded out the top five, with Irvine boasting a large population but extremely high property values.

    Smaller suburbs generally fared better on Niche's list than major cities. The highest ranking major city was Seattle at 24th place, followed by Austin, San Francisco, San Diego, and Boston in the top 50.

Map highlighting top US cities for family-friendly activities and attractions nationwide.