Seattle has been ranked among the top cities in the United States to raise a family, according to WalletHub’s 2025 “Best and Worst Places to Raise a Family” report. The city placed sixth nationwide and third on the West Coast in the annual rankings, which evaluate more than 180 cities based on a range of family-related metrics.
WalletHub, a personal finance website, assessed cities using government and independent data sources. These included indicators such as cost of living, housing affordability, education quality, child care availability, access to health care, safety, and recreational opportunities. Sources used in the analysis included data from federal agencies, GreatSchools.org, TripAdvisor, and Yelp.
Analyst Chip Lupo, speaking on behalf of WalletHub, said the rankings help families navigate the complex decision of where to settle, balancing cost, safety, education, and proximity to relatives.
Seattle performed especially well in the categories of affordability, socioeconomic environment, education, and child care. It also earned moderate scores for health, safety, and recreational activities. The city ranked seventh nationally for affordability, based on living expenses, home prices, and financial wellness indicators like credit scores and debt levels.
According to U.S. Census Bureau figures, Seattle’s median household income stood at approximately \$122,000 in 2023. Median home values reached \$912,100. As of April 2025, the unemployment rate in the Seattle-Bellevue-Everett metro area was 4%, slightly below the national average of 4.2%.
Seattle Public Schools, serving over 50,000 students, received an A- rating from education review platform Niche. The district is ranked 17th among school systems in Washington, praised for its teaching quality, sports offerings, and college preparation programs.
Other cities in Washington also appeared in the rankings. Spokane placed 81st, Vancouver ranked 97th, and Tacoma was listed at 132nd.
Nationally, Fremont, California, earned the top spot in the report. The Bay Area city was noted for its high adjusted median family income of nearly \$130,000 and low rates of poverty and food assistance among families.
The study highlights the cities that offer strong conditions for raising children while maintaining access to economic opportunity, quality education, and family-friendly environments.
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