These are the worst cities for families, report says
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A new study reveals that the city you call home can have a profound effect on your family’s quality of life, impacting everything from income and education to housing stability and childcare costs.
A LendingTree study, published earlier this week, ranked the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas based on a variety of factors crucial to family well-being.
The study evaluated seven key metrics: median family income, homeownership rates for families with children, poverty rates, school dropout rates for teens, average commute times, percentage of households with children and child care costs for infants and 4-year-olds. These factors provided a comprehensive view of the best and worst cities for families.
Miami, Las Vegas ranked worst metros for families
By the numbers:
Miami, Florida ranked at the bottom of the list. Miami presented a difficult environment for families, with the lowest overall score of 23.4. Median family income was the lowest of the top three, at $84,550, and more than 16% of children lived below the poverty line. Families also faced high child care costs ($1,982) and long average commutes (59 minutes).
Las Vegas ranked second-to-last with a median income of $79,397. The metro's 52-minute average commute time and high child care expenses ($1,998) further contributed to the challenges for families in the area.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles fell into the third-worst spot. Despite a median income of $100,832, more than 15% of children live in poverty, and the share of children living in owner-occupied homes was notably low at just 48.3%. Families also face long commutes (61 minutes) and costly child care at $2,844 per month.
Salt Lake City, Minneapolis ranked top metros for families
By the numbers:
With a strong family median income of $112,342, Salt Lake City ranked number one with a final score of 75.4. The city had relatively low child poverty rates (10.7%), and child care costs averaged $1,646 per month.
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The second spot went to Minneapolis, where families had a median income of $132,055, one of the highest in the study. The city boasted an impressive share of children living in owner-occupied homes (78.7%) and low teen school dropout rates (2.5%).
Cincinnati rounded out the top three with a median income of $106,971. The city also performed well in terms of teen school retention, but faced a higher child poverty rate of 13%. The average monthly child care costs for an infant and 4-year-old: $1,868
Affordable housing and family stability tips
What you can do:
As housing prices continue to rise, finding an affordable home is increasingly difficult. The LendingTree study offered several tips for families looking to make the most of their living situation.
The study suggests shopping around for mortgages by comparing different lenders. For considering home renovations, they recommend tapping into home equity to remodel, which may be a cost-effective solution.
They said renting can also be an option. While homeownership is often a goal, renting can be a viable option, especially as it may offer lower monthly costs and more flexibility.