Lincoln Is the 25th-Best U.S. City to Raise a Family In

Lincoln, Neb., is the 25th-best 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 Lincoln

Lincoln appeals to families because it has the third-most childcare workers per capita. It's also in fifth place for air quality. This demonstrates that the city is a good place for children to grow up well cared for, in a clean environment.

There are some downsides to living in Lincoln that families should be aware of, too. For example, it has the 17th-highest infant mortality rate in the nation. In addition, it ties for the worst parental leave policies.

The city's best and worst stats don't tell the whole story, though. The study analyzed 45 different metrics grouped into five major categories.

How Lincoln Ranks in Key Categories:

• 72nd for family fun
• 60th for health and safety
• 66th for education and child care
• 18th for affordability
• 19th for its socio-economic environment

This puts Lincoln in 25th 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.