★ Best places to live
Best cities for families in North America
Cities that balance safety, healthcare, clean air and family-friendly living — ranked for anyone relocating with kids.
The Best cities for families in North America, ranked by Family score across 29 cities we track in the region. Montreal leads with 71/100, ahead of Vancouver and Toronto.
RankFamily score
- 1MontrealCanada71/100
- 2VancouverCanada70/100
- 3TorontoCanada69/100
- 4BostonUnited States67/100
- 5MinneapolisUnited States67/100
- 6CharlotteUnited States65/100
- 7AustinUnited States64/100
- 8DenverUnited States64/100
- 9PortlandUnited States64/100
- 10NashvilleUnited States64/100
- 11ColumbusUnited States64/100
- 12San DiegoUnited States63/100
- 13SeattleUnited States63/100
- 14WashingtonUnited States62/100
- 15San AntonioUnited States62/100
- 16AtlantaUnited States61/100
- 17ChicagoUnited States60/100
- 18DallasUnited States60/100
- 19HoustonUnited States60/100
- 20PhiladelphiaUnited States60/100
- 21PhoenixUnited States59/100
- 22Las VegasUnited States59/100
- 23GuadalajaraMexico59/100
- 24New YorkUnited States58/100
- 25San FranciscoUnited States58/100
- 26MiamiUnited States58/100
- 27DetroitUnited States56/100
- 28Los AngelesUnited States54/100
- 29Mexico CityMexico53/100
? Frequently asked questions
Which cities top this ranking?
Montreal leads at 71/100, followed by Vancouver and Toronto. The full ranking of 29 cities is listed above.
How is this ranking calculated?
We sort all 29 cities in our index by Family score. Figures are calibrated estimates, refreshed as we expand coverage — a practical guide, not official statistics.
Can I compare these cities in detail?
Yes. Open any city for its cost of living, rent, taxes, visas and quality of life, or use CostTrek’s side-by-side comparison to weigh two cities against each other.