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Plano Ranked 2025’s 3rd Best City To Raise A Family

City of Excellence? No doubt about it
Matilda Preisendorf
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Photo: Visit Plano

With its lush parks, top-tier schools and family-friendly neighborhoods, Plano has long been a favorite for those seeking a high quality of life. Now, a recent study backs that up, naming Plano the third-best place in the nation to raise a family in 2025.

The ranking by WalletHub, based on 45 key metrics across more than 180 cities, highlights Plano as one of the nation’s most family-friendly environments. Metrics included housing affordability, education quality, safety, income and the availability of family activities.

Strong Social Foundations and Safety Set Plano Apart

Plano stands out in several major categories. It ranks fourth in the nation for the percentage of two-parent families, ninth for both its low violent-crime rate and low separation/divorce rate and 11th in median family salary when adjusted for cost of living. These statistics point to a community that’s not only financially stable but socially supportive, two essential ingredients for healthy family life.

Although it ranks 57th in housing affordability and 76th in the percentage of families with young children, Plano compensates with excellent educational resources and high-achieving safety standards. More than 55% of local schools score 7 or higher out of 10, and the city boasts the fifth-highest high school graduation rate in the country. 

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Photo: @rb2photography | Visit Frisco

“Finding the best place to raise a family is difficult, between balancing an affordable cost of living with good educational opportunities, safety and enough recreation to keep kids entertained,” said WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo. “On top of all of these factors, people also often want to raise their children close to their extended family. Therefore, current or prospective parents can benefit from narrowing down their choices to a few of the best cities that are within a reasonable drive of their family.”

Plenty to Do, Even Without Major Attractions

Recreational amenities, such as playgrounds, rank 30th per capita, offering children plenty of room to play and grow. While Plano may not be overflowing with tourist attractions (ranking 80th in that category), its relative calm and strong community infrastructure are exactly what many families are seeking.

With nearby cities like Frisco boasting major attractions such as The Star, the PGA of America and the upcoming Universal Kids Resort, and with Dallas just a short drive away, there’s no shortage of high-quality things to see and do within easy reach of Plano.

Top 5 Places to Raise a Family in 2025

  1. Fremont, CA
  2. Overland Park, KS
  3. Plano, TX
  4. Irvine, CA
  5. South Burlington, VT

A Consistent Investment in Families and the Future

With its high quality of life, low unemployment and consistent investment in public safety and education, Plano continues to offer a solid foundation for raising the next generation. For parents looking to plant roots without sacrificing opportunity or security, this North Texas suburb remains a top contender.

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