Scottsdale is the sixth most family-friendly city in America, according to a new study.
Leader in educational student travel, Rustic Pathways, analyzed 323 cities in America based on three metrics: affordability, safety, and family and kid activities. Some aspects assessed in each city include family activities per 100,000 people, median booking prices on Booking.com, public transport costs, and crimes per 100,000 residents. The cities were then given a score out of 100 and ranked to reveal America’s most family-friendly cities.
Scottsdale, Arizona, placed sixth in the study, scoring 66.74. The city is an excellent destination for families thanks to low crime, highly rated accommodations, and many activities suitable for everyone.
Scottsdale ranks among the top 25% for low crime rates, averaging 4,075 incidences per 100,000 people. The average accommodation rating on Booking.com is 8.05, and a normal taxi tariff costs $2.76. Visitors to Scottsdale can also find 3.07 family-friendly activities per 100,000 people in the city.
Charleston, South Carolina, topped the study as the most family-friendly city nationwide, scoring 72.63 out of 100. The city has the second-highest rate of family-friendly activities per 100,000 people at 4.03, second only to Orlando, Florida.
Charleston also ranks among the top 40% of cities for low crime rates, averaging 4,898 crimes per 100,000 residents. The cost of a McDonald’s meal or normal taxi tariff is also relatively low in the area, setting individuals back $10.05 and $3.01, respectively.
Clearwater, Florida, claimed the second spot in the study, ranking above popular holiday destination Orlando. With a score of 71.93, Clearwater is Florida’s family-friendly hotspot.
While Clearwater has a slightly lower rate of activities per 100,000 people than Orlando (3.98 to 4.31), the city has fewer incidences of crime at 5,188 per 100,000. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant is more affordable than most cities in the study, with citizens of Clearwater paying just $18.09 on average.
St. George, Utah, is the third-best city for a family vacation. While family-friendly activities are not as common as in other cities in the top ranking, St. George ranks high for safety, with 3,337 crimes per 100,000 residents, placing in the top 15% of cities.
The average accommodation rating on Booking.com in St. George is also high at 8.16, and the median booking price of $141.68 is the lowest among the top 10 cities.
Orlando, Florida, ranks fourth with a score of 69.69. The popular holiday destination has the highest rate of family and kid activities in the entire country, at 304 or 4.31 per 100,000 people.
Orlando was also among the top cities for total bookings and reviews on Booking.com. The city was dragged down by the cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant ($25.11) and a crime rate of 10,397 per 100,000.
Cape Coral, Florida, rounds out America’s five most family-friendly cities, scoring 67.88. The final Florida destination to feature in the top ranking, Cape Coral is the fourth cheapest city for a fast-food combo meal like McDonald’s ($7.83).
The city is also among the study’s top 5% safest cities, averaging 2,361 crimes per 100,000.
Honolulu, Hawaii, takes seventh place in the family-friendly ranking. The city is home to the third-highest rate of family and kid activities in the entire country, with 223 or 3.98 per 100,000 people.
Honolulu also places in the top 55% for low crime rates and in the top 60% for an affordable meal at an inexpensive restaurant ($20.10). The average rating of Honolulu accommodation on Booking.com is 7.91.
New Braunfels, Texas, ranks eighth with a score of 65.55. The city was propelled towards the top of the ranking thanks to being one of the top 10% safest cities in the study, averaging 2,775 crimes per 100,000 residents.
The cost of a fast-food combo meal like McDonald’s and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant remains relatively affordable in New Braunfels, at $9.66 and $17.33, respectively.
Bend, Oregon, claims ninth place, scoring 65.22. It ranks among the top 25% of cities for safety, with a crime rate of 3,983 per 100,000 people. The average accommodation rating on Booking.com is 7.78, while a McDonald’s combo meal is priced at $10.33.
Bend is among the best cities for family-friendly activities, with 37 or 3.44 per 100,000, the sixth-highest figure nationwide.
Green Bay, Wisconsin, is the final location to be named among America’s 10 most family-friendly cities. The city ranks in the top 5% for an affordable meal at an inexpensive restaurant ($13.06) and seventh nationwide for an affordable fast-food combo meal ($8.04).
Crime rates are also low in Green Bay (3,797 per 100,000), placing it among the top 25% safest cities in the ranking.
The most family-friendly cities in America
|
Rank |
City |
Crimes per 100k |
Booking.com Median Booking Prices |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant |
Taxi Start (normal Tariff) |
Tripadvisor Activities per 100k |
Final Score |
|
1 |
Charleston, South Carolina |
4,898 |
$313.42 |
$25.11 |
$3.01 |
4.03 |
72.63 |
|
2 |
Clearwater, Florida |
5,188 |
$152.47 |
$18.09 |
$3.38 |
3.98 |
71.93 |
|
3 |
St. George, Utah |
3,337 |
$141.68 |
$14.07 |
$3.52 |
3.12 |
70.32 |
|
4 |
Orlando, Florida |
10,397 |
$176.38 |
$25.11 |
$2.92 |
4.31 |
69.69 |
|
5 |
Cape Coral, Florida |
2,361 |
$173.09 |
$17.59 |
$3.38 |
2.85 |
67.88 |
|
6 |
Scottsdale, Arizona |
4,075 |
$139.22 |
$19.08 |
$2.76 |
3.07 |
66.74 |
|
7 |
Honolulu, Hawaii |
6,302 |
$369.53 |
$20.10 |
$3.52 |
3.98 |
65.89 |
|
8 |
New Braunfels, Texas |
2,775 |
$242.02 |
$17.33 |
$4.28 |
3.00 |
65.55 |
|
9 |
Bend, Oregon |
3,983 |
$387.04 |
$19.08 |
$5.53 |
3.44 |
65.22 |
|
10 |
Green Bay, Wisconsin |
3,797 |
$217.56 |
$13.06 |
$3.26 |
2.69 |
65.12 |
Of the 10 most populated cities in the country, San Diego ranked highest at 89th, while New York and Los Angeles sat at 243rd and 257th, respectively.
, commented on the study:
“There is huge pressure on families to book cost-effective, fun vacations that cater to all ages,” says Shayne Fitz-Coy, CEO of Rustic Pathways. “You have to consider affordability, activities, and safety to book a trip that doesn’t break the bank.Florida’s got the crown. Florida appears to be the most family-friendly state in the country, with three of the top cities located there. It’s home to theme parks, beaches, affordable accommodation, and more. Florida’s stranglehold over domestic and international family vacations remains clear.”
Photo: “Jack Knife” by Ed Mell, located in the roundabout at Main Street and Marshall Way in Scottsdale’s Old Town Arts District; photo by Analisa Shah, courtesy of Experience Scottsdale.
