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Best Places to Raise a Family in Texas (2025)
6 minute read • Last update January 2025
Of all the pros and cons of living in Texas, a happy, healthy, and balanced family life is often one of the biggest drawcards.
If you’re moving to Texas to raise a family, choosing the right place to call home is essential. The good news is that the Lone Star State is home to a diverse range of communities complete with great schools, affordable housing, plenty of sports and recreation, and a rich variety of cultural experiences.
Finding the best place in Texas to raise a family will require some careful research based on your unique needs and preferences. However, you can cut your research time considerably with this helpful shortlist.
Is Texas a good place to raise a family?
Before we jump straight into our list of best places in Texas to raise a family, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why many parents choose to relocate here:
- The state is home to a thriving job market, making it relatively straightforward to find work.
- There’s no state income tax in Texas, meaning more savings for trips and vacations.
- Excellent schools and proximity to some of the country’s top universities ensure a quality education.
- Museums, art galleries, and theaters provide plenty of extra-curricular education and entertainment.
- The safest cities in Texas for families have falling crime rates—many significantly below the national average.
- From parks, playgrounds, and picnic areas to nature trails, botanical gardens, and national parks, there are plenty of great open spaces for kids to enjoy.
- Many parks and recreational areas welcome pets, allowing families to enjoy outdoor time with their furry friends.
- Many of the best cities to live in Texas for families have organized youth leagues for soccer, baseball, football, basketball, and other sports.
- Numerous professional and collegiate teams offer families of sports fans the chance to enjoy live games together.
- Many towns and cities host summer festivals, farmers’ markets, and community gatherings that promote family bonding and fun.
With so many great reasons to move to Texas, it’s little wonder the state attracts nearly 400,000 new residents annually!
14 best places to raise a family in Texas
Having established that the state is a great home base for youngsters of all ages, let’s explore a definitive list of the top communities and best places in Texas to raise a family. For each, we’ll provide a list of family-friendly features and highlight what makes each unique and ideal for raising children.
1. Frisco
Those under 18 comprise a third of the population in this fast-growing community. With highways offering easy access to everything in the DFW area, Frisco offers big-city appeal with a small-town feel. With top-level sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, and Texas Rangers right on the doorstep, it’s little wonder Men’s Journal rated Frisco as the best city in Texas to raise a family of athletes.
2. Plano
Plano is well known for its low cost of living and strong economy, and has a particularly healthy job market for parents looking for jobs in tech. In a comprehensive review by WalletHub that compared cities using 45 key metrics, Plano was named the best city to live in Texas for families and ranked 4th nationwide. Top family attractions include Arbor Hills Nature Reserve and Oak Point Park and Nature Reserve.
3. Austin
The TX state capital is always on the list of best cities in texas to raise a family. Famous for its vibrant culture, residents can enjoy an abundance of outdoor activities, festivals, and events. The community spirit is warm and welcoming, and while the average home price varies significantly between suburban areas, most neighborhoods are considered family-friendly. In fact, Hutto tops the list of safest places to live in Texas for families, with a convenient location just a half-hour drive from Downtown Austin.
4. Flower Mound
Flower Mound is celebrated for its suburban feel and great schools. There is a strong emphasis on outdoor activities, as the many hiking and biking trails promote an active lifestyle for kids of all ages. Flower Mound retains a rural feel while also providing plenty of amenities, shops, and restaurants. Plus, highway access to Dallas and Fort Worth makes businesses in either metro area easy to reach for work.
5. The Woodlands
The Woodlands, a master-planned community, is often considered one of the best places to raise a family in Texas. With its luxurious living options and strong connection to nature, this community combines suburban comfort with outdoor activities. The Woodlands is home to 151 parks and 220 miles of hike and bike trail, as well as numerous lakes and ponds perfect for fishing. Families can enjoy the extensive green spaces, along with highly rated schools and family-friendly amenities, making it one of the top choices for raising children in a thriving, nature-focused environment.
6. Allen
Allen is known for its low crime rates, welcoming green spaces, family-friendly amenities, and community engagement. So, it’s a great place for families looking to settle down. Whether you’re drawn in by Allen’s historical heritage, cultural diversity, fantastic cuisine, robust healthcare, excellent education options, or simply convenient access to bigger Texas cities like Dallas and Fort Worth, there’s something here for everyone.
7. McKinney
One of the best places to live in Texas for families that prioritize culture and community spirit, McKinney is one of the most desirable family neighborhoods in the DFW area. Home to a charming historic district, beautiful neighborhoods, excellent schools, and numerous natural science and art museums, families benefit from the focus on education and local culture, both of which make it easy for children to settle in and make friends.
8. Sugar Land
Located just south of Houston, this Texas city blends affordability, excellent schooling, recreational opportunities, and plenty of local events and attractions that foster a strong sense of community. It’s one of the best places to live in Texas for families with eager little learners. Venues like the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center offer interactive exhibits (including a child-size city called Kidtropolis!), and there are also plenty of outdoor spaces where kids can embrace nature.
9. Pearland
Pearland ranks as one of the best affordable places to live in Texas for families, alongside Flower Mound and Frisco. Situated directly south of Houston, it’s one of the popular suburban areas surrounding the state’s major cities. Pearland offers an impressive array of amenities, from dining and shopping options to recreational activities for all ages. It is especially well known for its excellent education system, with the Pearland Independent School District serving over 21,000 students across 23 schools. Families benefit from the quality of education and the variety of family-friendly activities available, making Pearland an attractive and affordable option for growing families.
10. Cedar Park
Cedar Park is one of the best towns in Texas to raise a family, especially for those who love outdoor activities. The area is known for its natural beauty, with popular spots like Bushy Creek Lake Park, Cedar Bark Park, and Champion Park. Residents enjoy 1,000 acres of park space and 30 miles of trails, perfect for outdoor recreation. Cedar Park also boasts a relatively low cost of living, a strong sense of community, and excellent schools that consistently receive high ratings. For families seeking a mix of outdoor adventure and affordability, Cedar Park offers an ideal balance.
11. Harker Heights
Harker Heights offers a unique blend of charm and accessibility that you’d usually only find in small towns. Around a quarter of the population is made up of school-age children, making it a great place for little ones to form new connections. There are lots of outdoor spaces to explore, and plenty of indoor activities to try on days when the weather doesn’t suit park and trail visits. Examples include ice skating, indoor rock climbing, and interactive art studios.
12. San Elizario
San Elizario is considered the best place to live in Texas for families who prioritize safety, affordable housing, cultural heritage, a temperate climate, and a focus on community. The crime rate here is well below the national average, and the atmosphere is incredibly family-oriented. Located south of El Paso on the border of Mexico, San Elizario is a multicultural melting pot with a heavy Latino influence and all-year-round warm weather.
13. Round Rock
Round Rock is one of the most kid-friendly cities in Texas. There’s an abundance of activities for children of all ages, including waterparks, entertainment centers, premium youth sports facilities, playscapes, and more. The Round Rock Independent School District is highly rated, and Texas State University and South University are within easy reach for families looking for quality higher education.
14. Tyler
Tyler was recently ranked the top place to live in Texas for families moving from out of state. With a small population of just under 110,000, it is considered more rural than most other cities on this shortlist. However, despite its relatively small size, Tyler is home to several of the country’s top hospitals, making quality healthcare very accessible. It also has a low unemployment rate, and homes here are at a lower risk of severe weather damage than in many other parts of the state.
Save on electricity plans with BKVE
Wherever you decide to call home, it’s worth considering utility costs in advance. Texas’s energy market is deregulated, meaning electricity costs can vary significantly between locations.
At BKVE, we understand that every dollar counts when raising a family. That’s why we offer a range of competitive electricity plans designed to suit your household’s needs while keeping costs manageable. With our transparent pricing, you can avoid unexpected charges and better plan your budget, leaving you with more resources to invest in family activities and experiences.
Enter your zip code today and compare plans to find the best deal for your family!
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