America’s Top 20 Cities To Build A Career While Raising Children, 2018

Located in the heart of the Midwest and Iowa, Ames ranked No. 1 among the top 20 cities in the United States to build a career while raising children, according to a study conducted by SmartAsset. Following close behind in the No. 2 spot is Provo, Utah, followed by Iowa City, Iowa; Orem, Utah; and Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Rounding out the top ten – St. George, Utah; Wichita Falls, Texas; Santa Clara, California; Oshkosh, Wisconsin; and Abilene, Texas.

These are the top 20 cities in the United States – better suited for raising children and building your career. The study compared places across the nation, looking at employment, time off and costs associated with raising a family.

America’s top 20 cities to build a career while raising children – best cities for working parents:

1. Ames, Iowa
Unemployment rate: 1.5%
Median annual housing costs: $11,160
Average high school graduation rate: 92%
Average annual childcare cost: $9,093

2. Provo, Utah
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
Median annual housing costs: $9,948
Average high school graduation rate: 89%
Average annual childcare cost: $9,323

3. Iowa City, Iowa
Unemployment rate: 2.0%
Median annual housing costs: $11,136
Average high school graduation rate: 92%
Average annual childcare cost: $9,093

4. Orem, Utah
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
Median annual housing costs: $11,820
Average high school graduation rate: 89%
Average annual childcare cost: $9,323

5. Jonesboro, Arkansas
Unemployment rate: 2.7%
Median annual housing costs: $8,580
Average high school graduation rate: 90%
Average annual childcare cost: $5,669

6. St. George, Utah
Unemployment rate: 3.0%
Median annual housing costs: $11,292
Average high school graduation rate: 89%
Average annual childcare cost: $9,323

7. Wichita Falls, Texas
Unemployment rate: 3.2%
Median annual housing costs: $9,108
Average high school graduation rate: 94%
Average annual childcare cost: $7,674

8. Santa Clara, California
Unemployment rate: 2.7%
Median annual housing costs: $27,516
Average high school graduation rate: 88%
Average annual childcare cost: $11,539

9. Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
Median annual housing costs: $9,264
Average high school graduation rate: 89%
Average annual childcare cost: $10,959

10. Abilene, Texas
Unemployment rate: 3.0%
Median annual housing costs: $9,564
Average high school graduation rate: 90%
Average annual childcare cost: $7,674

11. Denton, Texas
Unemployment rate: 2.8%
Median annual housing costs: $13,152
Average high school graduation rate: 91%
Average annual childcare cost: $7,674

12. Fayetteville, Arkansas
Unemployment rate: 2.3%
Median annual housing costs: $9,588
Average high school graduation rate: 87%
Average annual childcare cost: $5,669

13. Columbia, Missouri
Unemployment rate: 2.0%
Median annual housing costs: $10,008
Average high school graduation rate: 90%
Average annual childcare cost: $8,008

14. Palo Alto, California
Unemployment rate: 2.7%
Median annual housing costs: $28,344
Average high school graduation rate: 88%
Average annual childcare cost: $11,539

15. Irvine, California
Unemployment rate: 3.0%
Median annual housing costs: $28,524
Average high school graduation rate: 86%
Average annual childcare cost: $11,539

16. Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Unemployment rate: 2.4%
Median annual housing costs: $10,548
Average high school graduation rate: 90%
Average annual childcare cost: $10,959

17. Ann Arbor, Michigan
Unemployment rate: 3.2%
Median annual housing costs: $14,748
Average high school graduation rate: 891%
Average annual childcare cost: $8,781

18. Franklin, Tennessee
Unemployment rate: 2.3%
Median annual housing costs: $16,728
Average high school graduation rate: 90%
Average annual childcare cost: $7,834

19. College Station, Texas
Unemployment rate: 2.5%
Median annual housing costs: $12,480
Average high school graduation rate: 86%
Average annual childcare cost: $7,674

20. Davis, California
Unemployment rate: 4.3%
Median annual housing costs: $17,,640
Average high school graduation rate: 89%
Average annual childcare cost: $11,539