What Are the Best Cities in Texas To Raise a Family?

What makes Texas such a standout state? For starters, there’s the expansive prairies and access to gulf beaches. Then there’s the cowboy culture and thriving cities. And that’s just a taste. To put it simply: Texas has a lot to offer — especially families! And living in a family-friendly city is essential if you want your kids to have access to quality education and lots of opportunities to try new things and stay engaged. For our list of the best cities in Texas to raise a family, we considered a few different criteria:

• The safety of the area
• A cost of living that’s affordable
• Good, quality schools
• Access to walking or bike trails
• The amount of parks and play areas
• How the community engages with families and kids with events and opportunities

Best Places To Live in Texas for families — FAQs

Q: What city in Texas is best to raise a family?
A: Some of the best cities in Texas to raise a family include Plano, The Woodlands, and Flower Mound, but there are many more!

Q: Where is the safest place to live in Texas for families?
A: Fulshear and Colleyville are some of the safest cities in Texas to raise a family.

Q: Is Texas a good place to raise children?
A: Yes! There are all kinds of family-friendly cities and towns across this vast state that are perfect for families of all walks of life. Texas even ranked No. 2 in the nation when it comes to families with young children.

Q: Where is the best place for a single mom to live in Texas?
A: El Paso has a low cost of living and would be a great place for a single mom to live in Texas.

12 Best Places in Texas To Raise a Family

We all know everything is bigger (and perhaps better?) in Texas, and that includes cities that are family-friendly. It was hard to narrow it down, but we’ve included cities to live in Texas for families from all over this large state, including near the gulf, the west, eastern Texas, central, and close to Oklahoma to give you a variety of options to choose from. 

In Plano, the big-city amenities are balanced with a family-friendly community vibe.
(Source: Visit Plano via Facebook)

1. Plano, TX 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,725
• Average home value: $517,600
• Great for: Parks, outdoor activities

When it comes to the best places to live in Dallas, Texas, for families, Plano’s a top pick. You get all the amazing cultural and entertainment amenities of the big city (Dallas, that is) just 25 minutes away, balanced with the more family-friendly community feel that Plano can offer. The Plano Independent School District will provide your kids with a top-notch education, and it includes stellar schools like Skaggs Elementary School, Otto Middle School, and Jasper High School. Plano is home to the expansive Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, as well, where the whole family can enjoy trails, picnics, and soaring among the trees at the Go Ape Zipline. 

Plano has lots of quiet neighborhoods, and most of them include their own park or playground that’s just a short walk or bike ride away. And this tight-knit community makes an effort to keep kids and families engaged, offering a variety of events families can attend throughout the year, including a Minecraft Experience, the Fall Plano Train Show, and the Balloon Festival.

2. College Station, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,625
• Average home value: $343,700
• Great for: Fun football games, good schools

Although it’s best known as the home of Texas A&M University (go Aggies!), College Station is also one of the best affordable places to live in Texas for families. Football culture is a big part of life in many Texas towns and cities, and if your family is looking for fun things to do, look no further than a Saturday afternoon game at Kyle Field. If you’d rather spend a sunny day elsewhere outdoors, then take the whole family and head over to Wolf Pen Creek Park for a day of riding bikes, playing disc golf, or catching one of the many shows at the amphitheater. 

There’s also kid-friendly fun to be had indoors at Grand Station Entertainment, which offers fun options like bowling, an arcade, mini golf, and laser tag. There’s even a full menu, so you can grab burgers and sodas there, as well! And the community offers events like the Annual Christmas Parade as well as classes, game nights, and sports for kids to sign up for. College Station has a well-regarded school district that includes places like Greens Prairie Elementary and Wellborn Middle School. 

3. Flower Mound, TX 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,350
• Average home value: $603,900
• Great for: Community activities, water fun

It might have a funny name, but this town is one of the best cities in Texas to raise a family. Flower Mound is a part of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but it is definitely a community with its own personality. It’s a safe town that takes pride in keeping public areas beautiful and available for anyone to enjoy. After all, the town is named after the large mound located at the center of town! And no matter what age your kids are, there’s a well-ranked school to help them learn and advance in their studies, including Old Settlers Elementary and Flower Mound High School. 

Flower Mound is located right along the shores of Grapevine Lake, which means there are all kinds of opportunities to let the kids explore and learn new things. Rent a boat and take them fishing or water tubing, or if you prefer to stay on shore, enjoy walking the trails or having a picnic at Twin Coves Park and Campground. 

There are lots of family-friendly events in Flower Mound, as well, to suit all kinds of interests, including tea parties, movies in the park, and breakfast with Santa.

Want to live in the heart of Texas Hill Country? Then Round Rock should be at the top of your list.
(Source: Go Round Rock via Facebook)

4. Round Rock, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,525
• Average home value: $434,400
• Great for: Excellent public schools, outdoor activities

Want to live in the heart of Texas Hill Country near the lively city of Austin? Then Round Rock, TX, should be at the top of your family-friendly cities list! It’s considered to be one of the best cities to raise a family in the U.S. — and the excellent schools in the Round Rock ISD have a lot to do with that. There are multiple schools in the area that have received 10/10 or 9/10 ratings, according to Great Schools. 

But it’s not just the academics that keep families in Round Rock; it’s also the opportunities for kids to stay active, learn teamwork, and develop new skills in sports. And this city is known as the Sports Capital of Texas because of the community’s commitment to youth sports. Whether it’s volleyball, football, baseball/softball, or soccer, your kids will have all the amenities and sports facilities they need to stay active.

Old Settlers Park is at the heart of Round Rock, and families can go here to relax, play, bike, or fish. And when the weather gets too hot, cool off at the Kalahari Resort that offers an indoor water park and an adventure park!

5. Colleyville, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,425
• Average home value: $881,700
• Great for: Safe community, public schools

One of the best places to live in Dallas, Texas, for families is the safe city of Colleyville. Although the city has just over 26,000 residents, it hasn’t lost its small-town charm, which is a large reason why so many families choose to put down roots here. The whole family will enjoy going to the Colleyville Nature Center to bike the trails, fish in the ponds, or have a fun picnic. And the Colleyville City Park offers fields for rec sports as well as a playground — not to mention it’s located right next to the Colleyville Public Library. When you want to try out something new, consider stopping by the Urban Air Adventure Park that has slides, bumper cars, go karts, climbing walls, and even dodgeball! 

Parents will also appreciate that the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD offers top-rated schools for all ages, including Glenhope Elementary and iUniversity Prep. And families can stay involved and meet new friends at local Colleyville events, like the Harvest Festival and Bunny Brunch and Lunch.

6. Wichita Falls, TX 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $750
• Average home value: $168,200
• Great for: State parks, outdoor activities

The affordable city of Wichita Falls is located right near the border of Oklahoma in northern Texas. This smaller city offers all kinds of activities and parks aimed to keep kids active in their community, including Lucy Park with playgrounds and waterfalls, Lake Wichita Park and lake, and Lake Arrowhead State Park that includes a lake for swimming and boating. Kids can learn all about the animals and plants native to this part of Texas at the River Bend Nature Center, or you can take them for indoor fun at the Urban Air Adventure & Trampoline Park.

The Morath Orchard is also a great place to go for corn mazes and apple cider in the autumn, and if you’re looking for places to bike, take everyone over to the Wee Chi Tah Trail. You’ll find easy trails for young riders, and for those more experienced, there’s also a BMX track. 

Situated right at the Mexican border, El Paso features diverse cuisines, art, events, and entertainment options.
(Source: Visit El Paso via Facebook)

7. El Paso, TX 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,075
• Average home value: $223,400
• Great for: Outdoor activities, good schools

Did you know that El Paso is not only the county seat, but it’s the most populous city in West Texas with around 678,800 people? Needless to say, it seems like lots of families call this affordable city home. It’s situated right at the Mexican border, and you’ll see a lot of diverse cuisines, art, events, and entertainment options as a result. There are some highly rated schools in this community, as well, including the Transmountain Early College H.S. that received a 10/10 from Great Schools. In addition to academics, students are encouraged to participate in clubs and sports, and the community loves coming out to cheer the athletes on, whether it’s football, volleyball, or soccer.

In addition to great schools, there are all kinds of opportunities for families to spend time together outdoors. Head up to the popular Franklin Mountains State Park and hike the trails, explore the Aztec Cave, see Mammoth Rock, or learn about the El Paso tin mines. There are local playgrounds and parks located throughout the city, too, and there’s always something new to see at the El Paso Zoo or the El Paso Museum of Archeology. 

8. The Woodlands, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,725
• Average home value: $307,000
• Great for: Excellent school district, youth activities

The beautiful, tree-lined city of The Woodlands is definitely one of the best cities in Texas to raise a family. It’s located around 30 miles north of the sprawling city of Houston, but it offers families a closer-knit community and a quieter lifestyle. Your family will be among like-minded folks who like to stay active, and there are all kinds of parks, playgrounds, and even the WG Jones State Forest, where you can hike, bike, or camp. All residents also have access to Texas TreeVentures, which is a huge aerial course in the Rob Fleming Park, as well as the Riva Row Boat House that allows families to rent kayaks, paddle boards, water bikes, and swan paddle boats.

The highly ranked schools of the Conroe ISD (which The Woodlands is a part of) is another reason families have been flocking to this Texas city. Here, your children will receive a quality education that will prepare them for whatever they want to do next. They can also sign up for school athletics and clubs or play youth rec sports for the community. The Woodlands offers loads of activities for kids to be a part of, including soccer, pickleball, tennis, campouts, and many more. And community events are held throughout the year and include concerts in the park, arts in the park, and festivals like the Trick or Treat Trail.

9. Cinco Ranch, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,625
• Average home value: $539,100
• Great for: Good schools, quiet lifestyle

Families that want a quieter pace of life with access to more outdoor activities should consider looking at Cinco Ranch, TX. This is one of the best cities in Texas to raise a family, and it’s just under 40 minutes to the west of Houston. It’s part of the excellent Katy ISD, so you can rest assured no matter what school your children attend — such as Seven Lakes Junior High or Harmony School of Innovation — it will be highly rated. 

This master-planned community also offers residents miles of trails and greenways, playgrounds, and parks with pavilions, as well as tennis courts, basketball courts, and soccer fields for use. In addition, the large George Bush Park is located right next to Cinco Ranch, offering families all kinds of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors together. 

The Cinco Ranch Library is another spot that offers lots of activities and classes geared toward families and kids, like family story times, games, and crafts. 

The Children’s Art & Literacy Festival is just one of many fun activities for families in Abilene, Texas.
(Source: Visit Abilene, Texas via Facebook)

10. Abilene, TX 

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $800
• Average home value: $196,500
• Great for: Good cost of living, affordable housing

Located in central Texas is the lovely city of Abilene. Families love how affordable the housing is in this family-friendly city. And you can take the whole family to one of the most popular local spots, the PrimeTime Family Entertainment Center. There, you can easily spend hours enjoying all this place has to offer in one location, including:

• An arcade
• Bowling
• Bumper cars
• Mini golf
• Rock climbing
• Go karts
• And more!

Another popular attraction in Abilene for families is the Abilene Zoo, which is located right in Grover Nelson Park (that also features a splash pad) and gives a chance for kids to learn firsthand about animals from around the world. The zoo also hosts kid-centric events like the Boo at the Zoo.

The Abilene Library is sure to be your one-stop-shop for all kinds of fun classes and events directed at kids in the community, as well. You can sign them up for coloring clubs, crafts, Pokemon meetups, and a variety of story times for all ages. It’s easy for kids to stay involved, whether it’s indoor clubs or outdoors playing community or school sports!

11. Fulshear, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,775
• Average home value: $540,500
• Great for: Public schools, safe community

One of the safest cities in Texas to raise a family is the lovely town of Fulshear, which is around 45 minutes from Houston. The Fulshear Branch Library is a great resource for families looking for new activities and ways to stay involved in the community. Depending on the age of your kids, you can get them signed up for chess days, story times, and craft time. And Fulshear is served by both the Katy ISD and the Lamar Consolidated ISD, which both offer stellar schools for kids from elementary through high school.

Living here, your family will get to enjoy easy access to outdoor fun but also have all the amenities of Houston not far away. You can take the kids to Flewellen Park to play or bike and even visit the Butterfly Garden. There are a variety of other neighborhood parks and playgrounds throughout Fulshear, including Jade Springs, Polishing Pond, and the Creek Cove Playground. 

12. Woodway, TX

• Average rent (one-bedroom): $1,200
• Average home value: $371,800
• Great for: Schools, affordable housing

Woodway is one of the best affordable places to live in Texas for families that’s located right outside of Waco and offers families a safe and well-maintained community. For over 30 years, families have turned to the Woodway Family Center to give their kids an introduction to all kinds of sports and activities like football, pickleball, baseball, soccer, and STEAM programming. In addition to the Woodway Family Center, you can also find lots of family-oriented things to do at the MAC at First Woodway or the Greater Waco YMCA.

Families stay engaged with others in the community, thanks to the many events sponsored by the city, including farmers markets, all-ages classes, movie nights, and family cookouts.

And Woodway Park is a top destination for families who want to stay active. There, you can use the playground, walk the trails, play disc golf, or lounge at Woodway Beach along Lake Waco. If you want to get on the water, there’s a boat/kayak ramp, as well, so you can explore other parts of the lake. Want to have a fun day indoors in Woodway? There’s always the Play Zone Waco that offers open play times all week. 

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Editor’s note: Average rent prices were obtained from RentCafe and Zumper, and average home values were obtained from Zillow. For ease of reading, monthly rental prices were rounded to the nearest $25 and home values were rounded to the nearest $100.