Plano named fourth best US city for raising a family

Plano has been recognized as one of the top cities in the United States for raising a family, according to a recent study conducted by WalletHub.

WalletHub’s comprehensive report assessed over 180 cities across the nation, evaluating factors such as housing affordability, quality of local schools, and the overall healthcare infrastructure in each area. Plano secured a position in the top four cities, trailing only behind Fremont, California, Overland, Kansas, and Irvine, California.

Key findings from the report highlighted Plano’s strong performance in various categories: it ranked fourth in socio-economic factors, fifth in health and safety, and seventh in affordability nationwide. Additionally, Plano secured the 29th spot in terms of education and childcare.

In contrast, Dallas was positioned at the 141st spot, falling significantly below other North Texas cities such as Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, Irving, Arlington, and Garland. Grand Prairie claimed the 63rd spot, followed by Fort Worth at 86, Irving at 97, Arlington at 99, and Garland at 111.

Other notable Texas cities featured in the study include Austin (ranked 19th), Laredo (72), Amarillo (80), El Paso (93), Lubbock (107), Corpus Christi (134), San Antonio (138), and Houston (145).

According to WalletHub’s analysis, Memphis, Tennessee, was identified as the least favorable city for raising a family.

Cassandra Happe, an analyst at WalletHub, emphasized the challenges families face in finding an ideal location that balances affordability, educational opportunities, safety, and recreational amenities. She advised parents to consider cities that offer a blend of these factors while also considering proximity to extended family.

For further insights, the complete report, methodology, and expert commentary are available on WalletHub’s website.