Top 100 Best Cities to Raise a Family in the West - 2023

Relocating to a new part of the country can be an intimidating task, especially if you’re moving your entire family. As the country is adjusting to a “new normal” after pandemic shut-downs and restrictions and more of the population shifts to a remote-work lifestyle, many are rethinking where they live and want to find the best city for raising their kids.

The Western United States in many ways is synonymous with freedom - known for its beautiful landscapes, laid-back vibes, and wide-open spaces, the West is a land full of adventure. According to the 2019 U.S. Census report, America’s West Coast and adjacent states accounted for slightly less than 24% of the nation's population, the second highest of all regions. Covering Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming, the West is home to more than 78 million people.

If outdoor living, beautiful landscapes, and laid-back vibes are your style, this list of Top 100 Best Places to Raise a Family in the West will help you determine where you may want to relocate to.

Dwellics analyzed data on more than 15,000 cities in the Western U.S. to compile a list of the Top 100; Best Places to Raise a Family in the West. Ranking factors included quality of education; climate comfort (days between 50 and 90 degrees), infrastructure (public transportation, traffic, internet speeds), public safety (natural disaster risks); finances (child-care costs, property prices, and cost of living); percentage of married households with school-aged children; and education level of residents.

Each listing also includes community demographics like population size, age, racial and religious diversity, political affiliation, and industry and employment data that indicates the types of jobs available in each individual area. Dwellics also posts reviews of each city submitted by users who provide pros and cons of living in each place in their own words

For even more detailed analysis, use our Calculator to directly compare two cities side by side.

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1

Granite Bay, California

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2

Folsom, California

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3

Tassajara, California

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4

El Dorado Hills, California

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5

Vail, Arizona

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6

Catalina Foothills, Arizona

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7

Stevenson Ranch, California

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8

Oak Park, California

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9

Valencia, California

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10

Chandler, Arizona

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11

Rocklin, California

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12

Highland, Utah

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13

Roseville, California

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14

Newbury Park, California

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15

Cypress, California

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16

Eastvale, California

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17

Bainbridge Island, Washington

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18

Herriman, Utah

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19

Riverton, Utah

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20

Lehi, Utah

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21

Colbert, Washington

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22

Draper, Utah

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23

South Jordan, Utah

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24

Greenwood Village, Colorado

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25

Chino Hills, California

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26

Cerritos, California

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27

Syracuse, Utah

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28

Arcadia, California

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29

Kaysville, Utah

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30

Davis, California

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31

Thousand Oaks, California

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32

La Verne, California

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33

Diamond Bar, California

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34

Farmington, Utah

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35

Spokane Valley, Washington

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36

Powell, Wyoming

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37

Walnut, California

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38

Veradale, Washington

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39

Bingham, Utah

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40

La Palma, California

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41

Colfax-Palouse, Washington

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42

Fountain Valley, California

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43

Worland, Wyoming

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44

Temecula, California

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45

Rancho San Diego, California

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46

American Fork-Pleasant Grove, Utah

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47

Sandy, Utah

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48

North Davis, Utah

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49

Cottonwood Heights, Utah

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50

Central Jefferson, Colorado

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51

Central Big Horn, Wyoming

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52

Northwest Weber, Utah

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53

South Davis, Utah

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54

Cedar City, Utah

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55

Centennial, Colorado

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56

St. George, Utah

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57

Evergreen, Colorado

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58

Layton, Utah

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59

Rancho Cucamonga, California

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60

Saint George, Utah

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61

Pullman, Washington

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62

Brigham City, Utah

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63

Bountiful, Utah

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64

Holladay, Utah

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65

Spanish Fork, Utah

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66

Morgan North, Utah

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67

Sheridan South, Wyoming

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68

East Renton Highlands, Washington

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69

Salem, Utah

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70

Springville-Mapleton, Utah

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71

Louisville, Colorado

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72

Silverdale, Washington

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73

American Fork, Utah

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74

Ridgefield, Washington

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75

Nephi, Utah

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76

Bonney Lake, Washington

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77

Lake Oswego, Oregon

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78

Kenmore, Washington

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79

Morgan, Utah

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80

Heber City East, Utah

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81

Lake Stevens, Washington

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82

Millcreek, Utah

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83

Silver Firs, Washington

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84

Enumclaw Plateau, Washington

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85

Bothell, Washington

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86

Orem, Utah

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87

Anacortes, Washington

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88

Heber, Utah

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89

Salt Lake City, Utah

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90

Kanab, Utah

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91

Gig Harbor Peninsula, Washington

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92

Mill Creek, Washington

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93

Mount Pleasant-Moroni, Utah

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94

Hockinson, Washington

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95

University Place, Washington

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96

West Linn, Oregon

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97

Provo-Orem, Utah

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98

Murray, Utah

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99

Mukilteo, Washington

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100

McCall, Idaho

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