The Best and Worst U.S. Cities for Families

Birmingham is one of the most affordable cities in the country when it comes to childcare. The annual cost of care for a toddler takes up less than 10% of the area's median family income, meaning a higher percentage of earnings can go towards other expenses. Parkland data wasn't available for Birmingham, but car insurance premiums for teens are cheaper compared to the majority of the country. A six-month policy averages just over $2,800.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: Not available
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 9.4%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $2,813

Raleigh stands out for families with kids who are about to sit behind the driver's wheel. It has the cheapest car insurance for teens in the nation, averaging just $1,660 for a six-month premium. Additionally, childcare costs for toddlers account for 10.7% of median family income. There's not quite as much space devoted to parks as there is in other cities, but you'll still find green areas in 12.5% of the city.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 12.5%
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 10.7%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $1,660

Teens in Austin also won't drain their parents' budgets when it comes to car insurance, placing third place for the cheapest premiums. Expect to pay just over $2,300 every six months. Similarly, toddler care in a center takes up just 9.3% of household income. Park space, however, ranks in the bottom half of our list.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 9%
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 9.3%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $2,313

If you have young kids, Nashville is one of the cheapest areas for childcare. Center-based toddler care takes up the lowest percentage of income in the country at just 8.3%. Teen auto insurance premiums are a little pricier at $3,072 for six months. 12% of the city area is devoted to parkland, which is in the top half of the cities we analyzed.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 12%
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 8.3%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $3,072

San Jose balances both costs and outdoor space. A whopping 17% of the city area is home to parkland, placing it in the top 10 nationwide for this category. Toddler care costs come in at just over 11% of median family income, while teen car insurance premiums cost just under $3,000 every six months.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 17%
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 11.1%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $2,982

Like Austin, Houston ranks well when it comes to teen driver costs. The average six-month premium is well under $3,000. On top of that, childcare costs for toddlers account for less than 11% of income. Parkland isn't quite as robust as other areas of the country, but it still makes up 12.2% of Houston.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 12.2%
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 10.8%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $2,710

San Antonio doesn't come with a huge percentage of parkland (just 9.1%), but families benefit from cheaper cost of living for kid-specific expenses. Auto insurance premiums are one of the cheapest nationwide at just $2,456 per six months. Similarly, parents with young kids can expect to devote just over 10% of their income to child care costs.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 9.1%
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 10.3%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $2,456

Pittsburgh families can keep their childcare costs from eating away at too much of their budget, accounting for just 11% of income. Car insurance premiums for teens aren't the cheapest, but still remain below $3,000. Pittsburgh also has a fair amount of parkland, accounting for 12.6% of all city area.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 12.6%
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 11%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $2,833

San Diego is ideal for families that want to prioritize outdoor time—over 20% of the city's area is parkland. Childcare costs are on the more expensive side compared to many cities on our list, taking up 12.5% of median family incomes. Teens, however, won't have to pay exorbitant insurance premiums, which average just over $2,817 for six months.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 20.9
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 12.5%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $2,817

While only 11.4% of Virginia Beach is devoted to parkland, there are also 51 pedestrian beach access locations for families to explore. The area also has one of the country's lowest child care rates compared to income, accounting for just under 10%. Teen auto insurance premiums are slightly higher than those in other areas on our list, coming in at $3,076 for a six-month policy.

• Parkland as a percentage of city area: 11.4%
• Annual childcare costs as a share of median family income: 9.8%
• Average six-month car insurance premium for teens: $3,076