You might want to rethink that suburban dream — especially if it leads to Newark.
The Brick City — just a PATH ride away from Manhattan — was ranked the fifth-worst place in America to raise a family in 2025, according to a scorching new WalletHub report.
WalletHub ranked 182 different cities in America and crunched 45 factors across five categories: family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability and socio-economics — and gave each city on the list a score out of 100.
Out of the long list, experts picked out the top five best and worst cities — and the findings might surprise you.
While Newark did squeak into the top third for education and child care (No. 53), it still landed at a dismal No. 178 out of 182 cities nationwide, dinged for crime, affordability and limited family fun.
Also in the bottom of the barrel? Memphis (dead last), Detroit, Cleveland and Gulfport, Mississippi.
The good news is that one of the very best cities ranked is just a (toddler tantrum–length) car ride away from the tri-state area.
South Burlington, Vermont, ranked a sparkling No. 5 in the nation — and it’s only a five-hour drive from NYC.
The quaint New England city scored top marks for education and child care — and families there enjoy clean air, low crime and a whole lot of maple syrup charm.
Fremont, California, took the top slot, becoming the best city to live in this year.
But Garden State parents may want to look closer to home before packing up the minivan and moving.
Kensington, Long Island, landed the No. 2 spot nationwide in a separate Niche ranking of the best places to raise a family.
Hamlet in Great Neck boasts a median household income of $217,679, a fleet of high-performing public schools and a crime rate so low it practically whispers.
Several other Nassau County gems also made Niche’s list, including Syosset (No. 11), Jericho (21), East Williston (30) and Manhasset (39) — home to the Miracle Mile of luxury shopping and perfectly manicured lawns.
In Westchester County in New York, Scarsdale and Ardsley ranked just behind at No. 13 and 14, respectively.
Meanwhile, the south shore didn’t fare quite as well. Merrick came in at No. 512, Wantagh scored a sunburned 982, and Massapequa — recently associated with accused Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann — bottomed out at a bleak 3,087.
Still, not every family can flee to a leafy Vermont idyll or a $1.4 million Long Island manse. And no city gets a gold star in every category.
WalletHub’s Chip Lupo adds, “People also often want to raise their children close to their extended family.”This means you’re not a bad parent for staying put — just maybe keep an eye on the real estate listings in Burlington.
