Best Cities for Families in Washington
Washington ranks #32 of 50 for families, with a families score of 61.0. Redmond is its best city for families at 64.1.
- Washington, all states
- #32 of 50
- Population
- 77,353
Washington for Families: The Full Picture
Washington ranks #32 out of 50 for families, placing it in the lower third of states. That doesn't mean families can't thrive here — the state scores well in environment (73/100) — but Washington's overall profile suggests families should weigh the tradeoffs carefully, particularly around livability and outdoor access.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Washington shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 83.6%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 57/100) mask significant local variation. At $23,136 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. Washington performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 283.9 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). The higher cost of living (index: 107) means families typically need above-average incomes to maintain a comfortable standard of living.
All 26 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Redmond | A+ | 64.1 | 71.1 | 63 | 86 | 24 | 77,353 |
| 2Bellevue | A+ | 63.3 | 70.0 | 67 | 84 | 22 | 151,847 |
| 3Spokane Valley | B | 62.5 | 56.4 | 57 | 68 | 65 | 106,365 |
| 4Kirkland | A+ | 62.0 | 70.3 | 52 | 94 | 24 | 92,621 |
| 5Shoreline | A | 61.0 | 64.9 | 58 | 84 | 33 | 61,431 |
| 6Richland | B+ | 61.0 | 60.2 | 51 | 76 | 61 | 62,753 |
| 7Lacey | B+ | 59.4 | 59.0 | 61 | 79 | 54 | 57,737 |
| 8Spokane | C+ | 58.4 | 53.8 | 62 | 36 | 68 | 230,293 |
| 9Sammamish | A | 58.3 | 64.2 | 62 | — | 19 | 66,463 |
| 10Pasco | B | 58.0 | 56.2 | 53 | 74 | 67 | 79,575 |
| 11Marysville | B+ | 57.6 | 58.8 | 52 | 87 | 43 | 73,002 |
| 12Kent | B | 57.4 | 56.8 | 58 | 74 | 43 | 135,603 |
| 13Olympia | B | 57.3 | 58.1 | 63 | 58 | 56 | 55,951 |
| 14Renton | B+ | 57.0 | 59.1 | 55 | 73 | 39 | 105,317 |
| 15Everett | B | 57.0 | 56.4 | 61 | 73 | 46 | 111,845 |
| 16Kennewick | C+ | 56.9 | 54.3 | 47 | 67 | 67 | 85,295 |
| 17Auburn | B | 56.5 | 56.7 | 59 | 70 | 47 | 85,676 |
| 18Vancouver | C+ | 55.4 | 54.3 | 59 | 51 | 54 | 195,300 |
| 19Burien | C+ | 54.3 | 55.6 | 52 | 67 | 43 | 51,513 |
| 20Federal Way | C+ | 54.3 | 53.8 | 56 | 65 | 46 | 99,493 |
| 21Bellingham | C+ | 53.8 | 53.8 | 50 | 66 | 50 | 93,438 |
| 22Yakima | D | 51.9 | 47.7 | 48 | 60 | 74 | 96,961 |
| 23Seattle | B+ | 51.8 | 61.1 | 62 | 30 | 29 | 754,195 |
| 24South Hill | C+ | 51.5 | 53.3 | — | — | 43 | 68,025 |
| 25Lakewood | D | 49.1 | 47.9 | 54 | 55 | 53 | 62,937 |
| 26Tacoma | D | 45.8 | 47.7 | 52 | 23 | 51 | 222,758 |
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: Washington for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington a good state for families?
Washington ranks #32 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 61.0/100. Its strongest relevant category is Environment (73/100) and its weakest is Livability (34/100).
What is the best city for families in Washington?
Redmond ranks #1 in Washington for families with a score of 64.1/100, followed by Bellevue and Spokane Valley.
What factors are most important for families in Washington?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.