4 Best Cities for Babies to Live

WalletHub.com recently ranked the best and worst states to have a baby, with Vermont, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire and North Dakota among the top five – but, if you want more specifics, including the best cities to raise your baby, we’ve got you covered.

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is often named on lists of the best places to raise a family, making it a top pick for babies to live. It’s a safe city, a place where they can be happily pushed around in a stroller even after dark with a crime rate that’s 15 percent lower than the national average. It enjoys frequent sunny skies, lots of parks, including many with baby swings and fountains to splash around in, along with a wealth of recreational activities. There are plenty of pediatricians, and nearby Phoenix hosts a number of outstanding healthcare facilities like Mayo Clinic Phoenix and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Parents.com ranked Milwaukee as one of the country’s top 20 cities for a baby to live, but as impressive as that is, we think it should be ranked even higher. The state itself is often noted as one of the most family-friendly, as WalletHub noted in its ranking, while the cost of living in in this city is 10 percent lower than the U.S. average – you’ll definitely notice those lower price tags when browsing Milwaukee houses for sale - helping to mitigate the expense of raising a child. There are great schools, and when baby graduates from high school, he or she will have around two dozen universities and colleges to choose from in the Greater Milwaukee area. Plus, there are all sorts of fun things to do, from the popular children’s museum to a wide range of festivals with activities for all ages.

Newton, Massachusetts

Newton is a Boston suburb that offers the amenities of the big city with a small-town feel, made up of several small villages. It has a crime rate that’s 75 percent lower than the national average, excellent schools (over 96 percent of residents are high school graduates and more than three-quarters hold a bachelor’s degree), and it’s close to some of the top hospitals and health care providers in the country. While it doesn’t come cheap, the job market is very strong and incomes are high, with the median household income over $125,000. There are also plenty of kid-friendly activities in town and in nearby Boston, including lots of great museums and the New England Aquarium, which babies are sure to love. 

Minnetonka, Minnesota

Minnetonka is consistently rated among the top places to live in the country, especially for families, with excellent schools, high graduation rates, and a crime rate that’s 36 percent lower than the national average. It also offers plenty of outdoor activities and as it’s close to Minneapolis, it’s easy to enjoy big city delights too. While the cost of living is a bit higher than other Minnesota cities, it’s still a lot more affordable than places like Chicago, Boston, San Francisco or Miami.