Tucson Is the 38th-Worst U.S. City to Raise a Family In

Tucson, Ariz., is the 38th-worst U.S. city for raising a family, according to a new WalletHub report that compared 182 of the most populated cities based on 45 key metrics, including the cost of housing, the quality of local school and health-care systems, and the opportunities for fun and recreation.

Figuring out where to settle down is important because approximately 11% to 12% of the U.S. population moves every year, whether for new job opportunities, to be closer to family, or to achieve a lifestyle more to their liking. Even if you're confident you're in the right area, the particular town you pick (or even the specific ZIP code your home falls in) can affect many different aspects of your life.

“When choosing where to settle down, families must balance an affordable cost of living with good educational opportunities, safety and enough recreation to keep kids entertained,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “Even factors like the weather, traffic congestion, the availability of green spaces, and walkability can set certain cities far apart from others for family living.”

In-Depth Look at Tucson

Tucson may appeal to some families because it is the 13th-best city in the U.S. for recreation. It also has the seventh-lowest foreclosure rate. This demonstrates that the city is a fun place to grow up and families can afford their housing payments.

There are some downsides to living in Tucson that families should be aware of, though. For example, it has the fourth-most fatalities from motor vehicle crashes per capita. It also has the seventh-lowest percentage of high-school students who graduate within four years.

How Tucson Ranks in Key Categories:

• 16th for family fun
• 165th for health and safety
• 165th for education and child care
• 142nd for affordability
• 113th for its socio-economic environment

This puts Tucson in 145th place overall out of the 182 cities in WalletHub's study.

Best Places to Raise a Family

The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.