Best cities to raise a family
Family costs are not a scaled-up single person. Childcare, a third bedroom and a car dominate the budget, and the cities that look cheap for one adult often are not. This ranking prices the real household.
The ranking
| # | City | Match | Monthly cost | Left over | Why it ranks here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 86% | $8,849 | $4,400 | 4,400 USD/month left after costsSafety scores 94/100Family friendliness scores 86/100Healthcare scores 92/100No remote-work visa route |
| 2 | Stockholm Sweden | 83% | $5,461 | $2,853 | 2,853 USD/month left after costsFamily friendliness scores 94/100Safety scores 84/100Healthcare scores 88/100No remote-work visa route |
| 3 | Dubai United Arab Emirates | 81% | $8,392 | $6,608 | 6,608 USD/month left after costsSafety scores 88/100Family friendliness scores 76/100Healthcare scores 80/100 |
| 4 | Copenhagen Denmark | 80% | $7,156 | $281 | 281 USD/month left after costsFamily friendliness scores 92/100Safety scores 88/100Healthcare scores 90/100Affordability is weak here (35/100) |
| 5 | Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates | 80% | $7,558 | $7,442 | 7,442 USD/month left after costsSafety scores 92/100Family friendliness scores 80/100Healthcare scores 80/100 |
| 6 | Hong Kong Hong Kong SAR | 79% | $8,645 | $4,043 | 4,043 USD/month left after costsSafety scores 86/100Healthcare scores 84/100Getting around scores 96/100No remote-work visa route |
| 7 | Valencia Spain | 78% | $4,638 | $4,345 | 4,345 USD/month left after costsFamily friendliness scores 84/100Safety scores 80/100Healthcare scores 84/100 |
| 8 | Tallinn Estonia | 77% | $4,207 | $7,414 | 7,414 USD/month left after costsSafety scores 84/100Family friendliness scores 84/100Healthcare scores 76/100 |
| 9 | Doha Qatar | 77% | $7,198 | $7,802 | 7,802 USD/month left after costsSafety scores 92/100Family friendliness scores 76/100Healthcare scores 78/100No remote-work visa route |
| 10 | Barcelona Spain | 75% | $5,923 | $3,059 | 3,059 USD/month left after costsFamily friendliness scores 78/100Healthcare scores 84/100Getting around scores 91/100 |
| 11 | Toronto Canada | 75% | $9,048 | $1,125 | 1,125 USD/month left after costsFamily friendliness scores 82/100Safety scores 76/100Healthcare scores 84/100Affordability is weak here (44/100) |
| 12 | Tokyo Japan | 75% | $6,590 | $1,327 | 1,327 USD/month left after costsSafety scores 94/100Family friendliness scores 84/100Healthcare scores 88/100English usability is weak here (30/100) |
| 13 | Vancouver Canada | 74% | $9,608 | $777 | 777 USD/month left after costsFamily friendliness scores 82/100Healthcare scores 84/100English usability scores 96/100Affordability is weak here (40/100) |
| 14 | Lisbon Portugal | 74% | $5,600 | $1,694 | 1,694 USD/month left after costsSafety scores 78/100Family friendliness scores 76/100English usability scores 82/100 |
| 15 | Melbourne Australia | 74% | $9,439 | $494 | 494 USD/month left after costsFamily friendliness scores 84/100Healthcare scores 88/100English usability scores 100/100Affordability is weak here (37/100) |
The top five, in detail
Capped childcare fees and universal healthcare make family costs unusually low relative to the headline tax rate.
Zero income tax and a remote-work visa; housing, schooling and the car you will need eat most of the tax saving.
High taxes buy near-free childcare, healthcare and one of the best cycling cities on earth.
Dubai’s tax profile at roughly 20% lower housing cost, with a quieter, more family-oriented and more car-dependent city.
Other guides
Frequently asked
How was this best cities to raise a family list produced?
It is a calculation, not an opinion. Each of the 70 cities in the dataset is scored 0–100 on ten dimensions, weighted by the criteria for this guide (Family of four with childcare and a car; Family friendliness; Safety; Healthcare; Money left over on $180,000), and ranked on the weighted average. Costs are measured against a $180,000 gross salary taxed under each country's own rules.
What household does this price?
2 adults and 2 children, in a 3-bed, outside centre, at a moderate lifestyle, with a car. You can change all of that in the live tool.
What is the number one cities to raise a family?
Singapore, Singapore, with a 86% match and a modelled monthly cost of $8,849 for this household. The best-run city in Asia with low taxes and top-tier healthcare — housing and car ownership are the exceptions.