Best Cities for Families in New York
New York ranks #29 of 50 for families, with a families score of 62.6. White Plains is its best city for families at 71.6.
- New York, all states
- #29 of 50
- Population
- 60,666
New York for Families: The Full Picture
New York lands in the middle of the pack for families at #29 out of 50 states. The state has genuine strengths — health scores excellent at 80/100 — but also areas that may give parents pause. The 86.7% high school graduation rate leaves room for improvement, and a typical home value of $526,714 may stretch family budgets.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and New York shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 86.7%, roughly in line with national norms. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 57/100) mask significant local variation. At $20,978 a year for center-based infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. New York sits near the 50-state average for violent crime at 368.4 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The higher cost of living (index: 107.9) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1White Plains | A+ | 71.6 | 70.8 | 88 | 89 | 37 | 60,666 |
| 2Levittown | A+ | 70.9 | 74.8 | 92 | — | 33 | 51,904 |
| 3Tonawanda Town | A | 69.1 | 65.4 | — | 85 | 78 | 56,806 |
| 4New Rochelle | A+ | 68.7 | 67.5 | 76 | 88 | 37 | 82,769 |
| 5West Seneca | A | 67.5 | 63.7 | 83 | — | 77 | 45,303 |
| 6Irondequoit | B+ | 67.0 | 62.0 | — | — | 78 | 50,657 |
| 7Yonkers | A | 66.7 | 62.9 | 75 | 84 | 48 | 209,978 |
| 8Cheektowaga | B+ | 65.6 | 60.9 | 78 | — | 80 | 76,056 |
| 9Troy | B | 65.6 | 58.6 | 84 | 68 | 75 | 51,033 |
| 10Mount Vernon | B | 61.6 | 57.3 | 66 | 65 | 50 | 72,427 |
| 11Utica | C | 61.0 | 50.7 | 57 | 56 | 84 | 64,217 |
| 12Hempstead | C+ | 60.4 | 55.3 | 59 | — | 51 | 58,801 |
| 13Rochester | C | 60.1 | 50.3 | 64 | 50 | 81 | 208,772 |
| 14Albany | C+ | 59.4 | 54.9 | 66 | 35 | 73 | 100,492 |
| 15Syracuse | C | 59.0 | 49.8 | 63 | 45 | 82 | 146,384 |
| 16New York | C+ | 58.6 | 54.8 | 73 | 48 | 35 | 8,483,844 |
| 17Schenectady | C | 58.3 | 51.6 | 65 | 42 | 77 | 68,847 |
| 18Buffalo | D | 57.3 | 48.8 | 68 | 36 | 81 | 276,854 |
| 19Niagara Falls | D | 57.3 | 47.4 | 48 | 58 | 85 | 47,987 |
| 20Binghamton | C | 57.2 | 49.3 | 69 | 48 | 86 | 47,151 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: New York for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York a good state for families?
New York ranks #29 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 62.6/100. Its strongest relevant category is Health (80/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (30/100).
What is the best city for families in New York?
White Plains ranks #1 in New York for families with a score of 71.6/100, followed by Levittown and Tonawanda Town.
What factors are most important for families in New York?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.