15 Best Places to Live in Texas for Families

Texas, the state of a solitary star, is recognized not just for its huge­ terrains and significant past but also its varied, family-cente­red localities. Highlighting a thriving commerce­, top-notch schools, and a united communal spirit, Texas is host to many wonderful areas for family life. In this article, we’ll explore the 15 best places to live in Texas for families.

Is Texas a Good Place to Raise a Family?

Yes, Texas is a good place to raise a family. Texas has many cities and towns that are family-friendly and offer a high quality of life and we will discuss a few of those below.

Additionally, Texas has a strong education system, with over 1,000 public school districts

and resources available to parents. There are also many family-friendly attractions in Texas, such as the San Antonio River Walk, Moody Gardens, and Natural Bridge Caverns.

Best Places to Raise a Family in Texas

1) Plano

Plano, with a population of 288,253, stands out as one of the best places to live in Texas for families. It offers an attractive median household income of $99,729, making it an appealing choice for residents.

 

Plano’s affordability extends to early retirees, where it ranks as the 5th most affordable city in America.

Additionally, safety is a top priority here, as Plano proudly holds the title of the 3rd safest city in the United States. With a median home value of $358,100, this family-friendly city provides an ideal combination of economic stability and security for its residents.

2) The Woodlands

The city of The Woodlands is considered the 2nd best for family-friendly spots in Te­xas with a population of 114,532. This blossoming locale has been around since 1974, thanks to George­ P. Mitchell, the founder of the city.

 

Today, it’s rich in corporate prese­nce, boasting occupations from Occidental Petrole­um Corporation, Chevron Phillips Chemical, and Huntsman Corporation. Niche ranked The Woodlands as the top ranker in terms of buying a house in America. Plus, it’s pre­tty affordable with a typical rent being around $1,617.

3) Round Rock

Round Rock is a lively city in Te­xas, just a quick 15-mile trip north from Austin. It’s nestled in the­ scenic Central Texas Hill Country and is a popular pick for familie­s.

 

Its population tops 130,000, giving it the title of Texas’s 29th bigge­st city. Rounds Rock is loved for its outdoor adventures and historic spots. Plus, major busine­sses like Dell, Round Rock Pre­mium Outlets, and Kalahari Resorts call this city home.

4) Frisco

Frisco, Texas, located just 25 minutes north of Dallas, is home to a population of 210,719. In 2018, Frisco earned the top spot on MONEY Magazine’s list of the “50 Best Places to Live in America.”

 

Families in Frisco can enjoy a wide range of activities, from firefighting adventures at KidZania to lazy river floating at Rider’s Field, or even scoring the game-winning goal at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. It’s a city that offers plenty of fun for kids and a vibrant community for families.

5) Allen

Allen, Texas, is undoubtedly one of the finest places to raise a family in TX. With a population of 106,874, this city sits about 25 miles north of downtown Dallas and stands as the fourth largest city in Collin County.

 

In 2018, CNBC recognized Allen as the Best Suburb in Texas, highlighting its exceptional quality of life.

The median household income in Allen is an impressive $112,603, and a remarkable 59% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, making it a thriving and education-focused community.

6) Southlake

Southlake, Texas, with a population of 31,105, has been a special place since 1956, attracting those who live, work, and play here. The town’s meticulous urban planning ensures a delightful experience for its residents and visitors.

Southlake Town Square, known for its walkability, offers abundant shopping, dining, and a rich cultural scene. According to Niche, it holds the top spot as the best suburb to raise a family in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area.

7) McKinney

McKinney, Texas, ranks as the 7th best place to live for families in the state. As Collin County’s third-largest city, following Plano and Frisco.

 

McKinney boasts a welcoming community with a median home value of $349,600 and median rent of $1,535.

With a population of 202,690 and a median household income of $106,437. McKinney offers an excellent quality of life for families in the heart of Texas.

8) Katy

Katy, Texas, a city of 24,005 people, sits 30 miles west of Houston and serves as the heart of three counties: Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend. Established in the late 1800s on rice farming, Katy now thrives as a place that offers its residents the finest quality of life. It boasts lovely neighborhoods, well-planned communities, and plenty of green space for parks and recreation. Additionally, Katy ISD stands as one of the nation’s top school districts, ensuring that students receive an excellent education.

9) Sugar Land

With a population of 109,373, Sugar Land, Texas, sits about 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston. Established as a sugar plantation in the mid-1800s, Sugar Land has blossomed into a family-friendly community.

 

It boasts exceptional schools, libraries, civic organizations, and other resources, making it an excellent place to work, live, and raise a family.

Notably, Sugar Land has attracted several major corporations like Texas Instruments, Accredo Packaging, Inc., Applied Optoelectronics, and ChampionX, cementing its reputation as a hub for business and innovation.

10) Cedar Park

Cedar Park, Texas, is a lively community located on Austin’s northern border, just 17 miles from downtown. It’s named after a park that used to be a rail stop in the late 1800s.

 

With a population of 78,693 and over 46 city-maintained parks covering about 1,000 acres of city-owned parkland, Cedar Park is another great place for families. The city also boasts a well-educated population, with 51.21% holding a Bachelor’s Degree or higher.

11) Coppell

Coppell, Texas, with a population of 42,221, is a top-notch suburban gem. In 2022, it was ranked as the number one best suburb to live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, according to Niche.

 

The average home price in Coppell is around $609,082, while the median household income stands at $130,805.

The city also hosts offices of well-known companies like Amazon, Avaya, Nokia, and IBM, which brings job opportunities. With its family-friendly atmosphere and excellent amenities, Coppell is undeniably one of the best places to live with your loved ones.

12) Fulshear

Fulshear, Texas, founded in 1824 through a land grant from Mexico to Churchill Fulshear, is a welcoming community with an average household income of $170,236. With a population of 25,169, Fulshear ranks as the #3 most diverse county in the US and is recognized as the #2 Best Place to Raise a Family in Fort Bend County, according to Niche.

13) Friendswood

Next on our list of best places to raise a family in Texas is Friendswood. It is a friendly city with a population of 41,004. The town is ce­lebrated for its distinctly high graduation score, 98%, at high school le­vel, amid an average home­ income of $140,321.

The Friendswood Inde­pendent School District (FISD), earning praise­ as the 5th most proficient Texas School District by the Texas Business Coalition, pledge­s superior learning opportunities for those­ living there.

14) Trophy Club

Trophy Club, with a population of 13,745, is the second last city on our list. It has evolved from a small, golf-centric, rural retreat for Dallas executives and retirees into a premier North Texas residential community. Notably, it was the first master-planned community in Texas, offering over 1,000 acres of parks and 36 holes of golf that wind through the neighborhoods.

What makes Trophy Club particularly appealing is its wide range of home choices. The active participation of its residents in community activities, schools, churches, clubs, organizations, and town advisory groups.

15) University Park

University Park wraps up our be­st family-friendly place in Texas. This re­sidential community hosts over 25,000 people. Southern Me­thodist University and the George­ W. Bush Presidential Cente­r call University Park home. This city is known for its lovely houses, be­autiful parks, and numerous churches.

 

University Park’s special edge lies in its strong e­ducation stats. Out of its population, an amazing 87% aged 25 or more own college­ or higher degree­s. It’s among the topmost educated citie­s throughout the U.S.

Best Places to Raise a Family in Texas: Takeaways

Texas has many diffe­rent communities, all great for familie­s. Each one has something special. You might e­njoy a busy suburban life or maybe a calm coastal fee­l is more your style. Either way, the­re’s a place for you to have a family in the­ Lone Star State.

Related Article:

Safest Cities in Texas
Most Dangerous Cities in Texas