The Best Small Cities to Raise a Family

To pinpoint the best small places to raise a family, we looked at quality-of-life measures that make living easier for families in all Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas with a population under 100,000. We scored cities on commute times, educational attainment, median household income, the rate of home ownership, and the cost of living, for which we used median housing costs as a percentage of income as a proxy.

1. Dubuque, Iowa

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Dubuque, IA
Commute Time Rank: 10
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 25
Median Household Income Rank: 24
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 26
Cost of Living Rank: 19

2. Manitowoc, Wis.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Manitowoc, WI
Commute Time Rank: 22
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 18
Median Household Income Rank: 20
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 19
Cost of Living Rank: 27

3. Marquette, Mich.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Marquette, MI
Commute Time Rank: 24
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 12
Median Household Income Rank: 35
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 31
Cost of Living Rank: 13

4. Midland, Mich.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Midland, MI
Commute Time Rank: 30
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 10
Median Household Income Rank: 15
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 13
Cost of Living Rank: 48

5. Marshfield, Wis.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Marshfield-Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Commute Time Rank: 35
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 29
Median Household Income Rank: 29
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 10
Cost of Living Rank: 14

6. Stevens Point, Wis.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Stevens Point, WI
Commute Time Rank: 32
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 17
Median Household Income Rank: 13
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 63
Cost of Living Rank: 7

7. Casper, Wyo.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Casper, WY
Commute Time Rank: 17
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 9
Median Household Income Rank: 26
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 76
Cost of Living Rank: 6

8. Quincy, Ill.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Quincy, IL-MO
Commute Time Rank: 7
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 34
Median Household Income Rank: 43
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 48
Cost of Living Rank: 4

9. Helena, Mont.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Helena, MT
Commute Time Rank: 5
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 5
Median Household Income Rank: 21
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 33
Cost of Living Rank: 77

10. Columbus, Ind.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Columbus, IN
Commute Time Rank: 45
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 27
Median Household Income Rank: 9
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 28
Cost of Living Rank: 55

11. Warsaw, Ind.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Warsaw, IN
Commute Time Rank: 23
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 78
Median Household Income Rank: 16
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 18
Cost of Living Rank: 30

12. Minot, N.D.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Minot, ND
Commute Time Rank: 19
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 11
Median Household Income Rank: 34
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 102
Cost of Living Rank: 3

13. Cheyenne, Wyo.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Cheyenne, WY
Commute Time Rank: 8
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 19
Median Household Income Rank: 7
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 79
Cost of Living Rank: 72

14. Fond du Lac, Wis.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Fond du Lac, WI
Commute Time Rank: 50
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 35
Median Household Income Rank: 12
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 39
Cost of Living Rank: 53

15. Mankato, Minn.

Metropolitan Statistical Area: Mankato-North Mankato, MN
Commute Time Rank: 28
High School Graduation Rate Rank: 8
Median Household Income Rank: 14
Home Ownership Rate Rank: 75
Cost of Living Rank: 64