These California Cities Are Among the Best Places to Raise a Family in 2025, New Study Finds

FREMONT, CA – If you’re looking for the best place to raise a family in 2025, you might want to consider settling down in Fremont, California. According to a new nationwide study by WalletHub, Fremont ranks #1 in the U.S. for family-friendly living — and it’s not the only California city to make the top tier.

Fremont Takes the Top Spot

WalletHub evaluated over 180 U.S. cities, analyzing 45 metrics across five key categories: Family Fun, Health & Safety, Education & Child Care, Affordability, and Socio-economics. Fremont earned the highest score overall, thanks to its blend of economic stability, education quality, and healthy living standards.

Some standout findings about Fremont include:

Median family income adjusted for cost of living is nearly $130,000 — one of the highest nationally.
It has the third-lowest rate of families living in poverty or relying on food stamps.
Nearly half of all families in Fremont have children under the age of 18.
Over 58% of Fremont’s public schools are rated 7 out of 10 or higher.
The city ranks high in access to summer camps, helping parents with child engagement during school breaks.
Only 1.6% of children lack health insurance, placing Fremont fifth nationwide in health coverage for minors.
Just 1.1% of residents lack access to healthy food.
Fremont has an abundance of green space, ranking fifth in parkland acres per capita, promoting active and outdoor lifestyles.

Irvine Also Shines in the Top 5

Fremont wasn’t the only California city to impress. Irvine ranked #4 overall, standing out for its high safety ratings, excellent schools, and strong community infrastructure that supports family growth and wellness.

Other California Cities in the Top 100

Several other cities across the Golden State ranked among the top 100 best places to raise a family in the U.S.:

San Diego (#10)
Huntington Beach (#11)
San Jose (#13)
San Francisco (#21)
Santa Rosa (#30)
Santa Clarita (#32)
Rancho Cucamonga (#40)
Sacramento (#41)
Chula Vista (#47)
Garden Grove (#48)
Oceanside (#59)
Los Angeles (#76)
Modesto (#78)
Glendale (#84)
Long Beach (#91)

While large metro areas like Los Angeles didn’t rank as high due to affordability and congestion, they still placed within the top half of U.S. cities evaluated.

Why This Matters for Families

Families relocate for a variety of reasons — job changes, better schools, more space, or even financial hardship. With the rising cost of living and ongoing inflation, many are rethinking where to settle down.

WalletHub’s study provides valuable insight into cities that offer both economic opportunity and quality of life, giving families a way to plan more strategically for long-term stability.

The study emphasizes a balanced lifestyle: cities that offer fun activities for children, safe environments, accessible healthcare, and strong educational systems, without pricing families out of their homes.

The Top 5 Best Cities to Raise a Family in 2025

Fremont, CA
Overland Park, KS
Plano, TX
Irvine, CA
South Burlington, VT

Conclusion

California may have a reputation for high living costs, but cities like Fremont and Irvine show that it’s still possible to enjoy a high quality of life with the right mix of income, safety, and community support.

For families looking to put down roots in 2025, this latest study is a helpful guide to finding cities where children can thrive, and parents can build a secure future.