Plano continues to hold its ground as one of the country’s top places for families, landing at No. 4 in WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of the Best Cities to Raise a Family.
The annual study compared more than 180 U.S. cities using 45 metrics tied to everyday family life, from school quality and housing costs to crime rates and economic stability. While Plano slipped one spot from its No. 3 ranking in 2025, the city has now spent four straight years inside the top four nationally.
For many North Texans, the ranking confirms what they already see happening around them. Families continue pouring into Collin County at a historic pace, drawn by strong schools, relative safety and access to high-paying jobs.
Why Plano Continues To Stand Out
Plano performed especially well in categories tied to long-term family stability…