Baltimore Named 7th Worst City To Raise A Family

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As rising inflation drives families to seek more affordable cities, the personal finance site WalletHub has released its annual report ranking the best and worst places to raise a family in 2025, alongside insights from financial experts.

The report evaluates over 180 U.S. cities using 45 key indicators of family friendliness, including factors like housing affordability, quality of local schools, and employment rates.

Baltimore’s 2025 Family-Friendliness Ranking:

• Overall Rank: 176 out of 182

• Percentage of Families with Young Children: 145th

• Median Family Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living): 135th

• Housing Affordability: 146th

• Unemployment Rate: 90th

• Percentage of Two-Parent Households: 176th

• Playgrounds per Capita: 69th

• Local Attractions: 32nd

• Families Living in Poverty: 152nd

• Separation & Divorce Rate: 174th

• Violent Crime Rate per Capita: 173rd

Despite a decent number of local attractions and recreational spaces, Baltimore struggles in key areas, such as income, family stability, and crime, which contribute to its low overall ranking.

Keep scrolling to see what other cities made the list.

1. Memphis, TN

2. Detroit, MI

3. Cleveland, OH

4. Gulfport, MS

5. Newark, NJ

6. Birmingham, AL

7. Baltimore, MD

8. San Bernardino, CA

9. Jackson, MS

10. Hialeah, FL

11. New Orleans, LA

12. Toledo, OH

13. Augusta, GA

14. Shreveport, LA

15. Wilmington, DE

16. Little Rock, Arkansas

17. Fayetteville, NC

18. Montgomery, AL

19. Miami, FL

20. Fort Lauderdale, FL

21. Mobile, AL

22. Bridgeport, CT

23. Baton Rouge, LA

24.

25. Akron, OH

26. Indianapolis, IN

27. Las Cruces, NM

28. St. Louis, MO

29. Aurora, CO

30. Milwaukee, WI