Raising kids on your own isn’t easy when you’re a working dad. Your life becomes a balancing act between a million priorities, all of them equally important.
For peace of mind, it helps to bring up your family in a city where single fathers receive maximum support from their community.
LawnStarter ranked the Best Cities for Single Dads by comparing the 200 biggest U.S. cities on 34 key indicators of a single-dad-friendly environment.
What makes a city suitable for solo dads and their children? Affordable housing and child care, world-class hospitals and schools, and strong public programs are among the most important factors. Even a short commute goes a long way.
Check out our ranking below, followed by some highlights, lowlights, and expert parenting advice.
On Father’s Day, June 20, give dad some extra attention so he feels loved and appreciated.
Table of Contents
City Rankings
See how each city fared in our ranking:
OVERALL RANK | City | Overall Score | Affordability Rank | Child Care Rank | Health and Education Systems Rank | Home and Outdoor Environments Rank | Work Environment Rank | Socioeconomic Environment Rank | Dad Protections Rank | Dad Support Rank |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Boston, MA | 58.28 | 181 | 190 | 16 | 30 | 146 | 60 | 1 | 40 |
2 | Salem, OR | 57.88 | 152 | 65 | 96 | 26 | 48 | 115 | 4 | 13 |
3 | Eugene, OR | 57.46 | 158 | 5 | 75 | 52 | 3 | 130 | 4 | 75 |
4 | Portland, OR | 55.76 | 168 | 140 | 39 | 62 | 69 | 38 | 4 | 109 |
5 | Fremont, CA | 55.75 | 195 | 198 | 2 | 61 | 186 | 6 | 18 | 119 |
6 | Seattle, WA | 55.24 | 157 | 195 | 23 | 36 | 127 | 11 | 60 | 12 |
7 | Bellevue, WA | 54.64 | 169 | 192 | 14 | 44 | 123 | 3 | 60 | 158 |
8 | Irvine, CA | 54.52 | 189 | 164 | 4 | 161 | 106 | 7 | 18 | 169 |
9 | Springfield, MA | 54.42 | 102 | 177 | 120 | 54 | 13 | 173 | 1 | 114 |
10 | Worcester, MA | 52.82 | 138 | 196 | 114 | 50 | 65 | 81 | 1 | 162 |
11 | Cary, NC | 52.60 | 4 | 52 | 53 | 1 | 130 | 8 | 91 | 150 |
12 | Sunnyvale, CA | 52.54 | 199 | 197 | 11 | 143 | 89 | 1 | 18 | 164 |
13 | San Francisco, CA | 52.35 | 196 | 193 | 33 | 121 | 188 | 10 | 18 | 36 |
14 | San Diego, CA | 52.23 | 179 | 188 | 10 | 178 | 87 | 34 | 18 | 17 |
15 | Washington, DC | 52.19 | 131 | 152 | 167 | 79 | 178 | 21 | 17 | 38 |
16 | Overland Park, KS | 52.16 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 80 | 9 | 115 | 153 |
17 | Spokane, WA | 52.01 | 38 | 153 | 65 | 32 | 18 | 122 | 60 | 51 |
18 | Sacramento, CA | 52.00 | 130 | 183 | 36 | 171 | 68 | 95 | 18 | 4 |
19 | Pasadena, CA | 51.90 | 183 | 170 | 27 | 182 | 132 | 25 | 18 | 31 |
20 | Providence, RI | 51.84 | 114 | 135 | 175 | 66 | 28 | 150 | 11 | 39 |
21 | Syracuse, NY | 51.81 | 37 | 59 | 133 | 73 | 2 | 188 | 12 | 163 |
22 | Torrance, CA | 51.62 | 177 | 149 | 28 | 196 | 129 | 14 | 18 | 59 |
23 | Madison, WI | 51.48 | 90 | 119 | 21 | 25 | 7 | 32 | 73 | 20 |
24 | Buffalo, NY | 51.37 | 27 | 68 | 159 | 42 | 9 | 189 | 12 | 136 |
25 | Naperville, IL | 50.82 | 34 | 86 | 7 | 3 | 199 | 2 | 91 | 200 |
26 | Yonkers, NY | 50.80 | 170 | 103 | 178 | 9 | 168 | 61 | 12 | 62 |
27 | Jersey City, NJ | 50.59 | 147 | 105 | 162 | 149 | 193 | 43 | 8 | 115 |
28 | Tacoma, WA | 50.37 | 116 | 186 | 81 | 77 | 147 | 76 | 60 | 11 |
29 | New York, NY | 50.33 | 197 | 108 | 106 | 70 | 198 | 82 | 12 | 43 |
30 | Elk Grove, CA | 50.27 | 149 | 171 | 19 | 81 | 166 | 24 | 18 | 185 |
31 | Denver, CO | 50.12 | 141 | 130 | 45 | 128 | 142 | 37 | 65 | 3 |
32 | Sioux Falls, SD | 49.92 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 10 | 47 | 51 | 115 | 127 |
33 | Rochester, NY | 49.70 | 65 | 87 | 174 | 56 | 5 | 195 | 12 | 100 |
34 | St. Paul, MN | 49.52 | 66 | 145 | 94 | 23 | 21 | 101 | 65 | 26 |
35 | Frisco, TX | 49.39 | 12 | 36 | 15 | 8 | 196 | 5 | 115 | 190 |
36 | Santa Rosa, CA | 49.30 | 190 | 168 | 51 | 71 | 60 | 52 | 18 | 85 |
37 | Olathe, KS | 49.12 | 10 | 38 | 3 | 33 | 97 | 18 | 115 | 145 |
38 | Lincoln, NE | 48.96 | 17 | 4 | 35 | 21 | 14 | 71 | 115 | 44 |
39 | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 48.80 | 167 | 159 | 49 | 117 | 180 | 26 | 18 | 173 |
40 | Oakland, CA | 48.71 | 176 | 194 | 108 | 92 | 153 | 59 | 18 | 22 |
41 | Vancouver, WA | 48.64 | 134 | 155 | 86 | 53 | 115 | 70 | 60 | 88 |
42 | Raleigh, NC | 48.32 | 105 | 45 | 44 | 38 | 91 | 54 | 91 | 18 |
42 | Modesto, CA | 48.32 | 92 | 163 | 22 | 183 | 150 | 112 | 18 | 73 |
44 | Santa Clarita, CA | 48.25 | 163 | 184 | 37 | 148 | 197 | 22 | 18 | 113 |
45 | Chula Vista, CA | 48.22 | 173 | 178 | 54 | 122 | 139 | 40 | 18 | 147 |
46 | Fullerton, CA | 48.21 | 182 | 180 | 9 | 192 | 125 | 35 | 18 | 177 |
47 | Fort Collins, CO | 48.16 | 140 | 141 | 43 | 34 | 16 | 44 | 65 | 130 |
48 | Lakewood, CO | 48.02 | 151 | 134 | 6 | 115 | 133 | 28 | 65 | 122 |
48 | Hayward, CA | 48.02 | 191 | 199 | 34 | 90 | 148 | 46 | 18 | 129 |
50 | Minneapolis, MN | 47.94 | 51 | 147 | 88 | 15 | 31 | 63 | 65 | 132 |
51 | Atlanta, GA | 47.60 | 45 | 60 | 141 | 109 | 154 | 65 | 73 | 1 |
52 | Gilbert, AZ | 47.53 | 82 | 121 | 12 | 95 | 170 | 19 | 73 | 112 |
53 | Long Beach, CA | 47.51 | 166 | 187 | 99 | 176 | 125 | 97 | 18 | 21 |
54 | Orange, CA | 47.35 | 192 | 165 | 69 | 187 | 86 | 36 | 18 | 60 |
55 | Boise City, ID | 47.24 | 43 | 51 | 31 | 27 | 24 | 55 | 115 | 29 |
56 | Glendale, CA | 47.21 | 185 | 157 | 18 | 166 | 102 | 47 | 18 | 198 |
57 | Omaha, NE | 47.05 | 20 | 3 | 20 | 5 | 45 | 69 | 115 | 131 |
57 | Bakersfield, CA | 47.05 | 99 | 144 | 97 | 191 | 100 | 127 | 18 | 81 |
59 | Huntington Beach, CA | 46.98 | 186 | 158 | 102 | 181 | 161 | 20 | 18 | 174 |
60 | Scottsdale, AZ | 46.87 | 53 | 100 | 62 | 147 | 144 | 13 | 73 | 138 |
61 | Escondido, CA | 46.86 | 178 | 161 | 82 | 91 | 105 | 100 | 18 | 89 |
62 | San Jose, CA | 46.81 | 198 | 200 | 60 | 139 | 138 | 16 | 18 | 125 |
63 | Chandler, AZ | 46.53 | 71 | 122 | 8 | 179 | 124 | 23 | 73 | 104 |
64 | Stockton, CA | 46.40 | 126 | 143 | 41 | 193 | 175 | 141 | 18 | 108 |
65 | Bridgeport, CT | 46.34 | 148 | 175 | 184 | 156 | 52 | 164 | 7 | 90 |
66 | Oceanside, CA | 46.24 | 180 | 174 | 89 | 118 | 152 | 62 | 18 | 149 |
67 | Colorado Springs, CO | 46.22 | 113 | 151 | 47 | 89 | 109 | 58 | 65 | 99 |
68 | Fresno, CA | 46.11 | 91 | 156 | 67 | 190 | 43 | 186 | 18 | 55 |
69 | Des Moines, IA | 45.97 | 25 | 27 | 85 | 24 | 26 | 93 | 115 | 8 |
70 | Arlington, VA | 45.80 | 77 | 150 | 5 | 7 | 191 | 4 | 115 | 199 |
71 | Paterson, NJ | 45.65 | 159 | 120 | 198 | 88 | 15 | 181 | 8 | 93 |
72 | Corona, CA | 45.54 | 171 | 179 | 98 | 127 | 192 | 53 | 18 | 179 |
73 | Kansas City, MO | 45.33 | 41 | 19 | 32 | 119 | 77 | 88 | 115 | 10 |
74 | Riverside, CA | 45.14 | 156 | 173 | 80 | 184 | 121 | 94 | 18 | 151 |
75 | Plano, TX | 45.07 | 79 | 58 | 13 | 49 | 157 | 12 | 115 | 194 |
76 | Aurora, CO | 44.85 | 155 | 138 | 52 | 59 | 176 | 64 | 65 | 118 |
77 | Garden Grove, CA | 44.82 | 184 | 169 | 91 | 155 | 82 | 86 | 18 | 175 |
78 | McKinney, TX | 44.80 | 61 | 54 | 26 | 13 | 187 | 17 | 115 | 187 |
79 | Louisville, KY | 44.75 | 29 | 21 | 70 | 22 | 66 | 104 | 115 | 37 |
80 | Los Angeles, CA | 44.68 | 188 | 191 | 110 | 194 | 136 | 116 | 18 | 27 |
81 | Fontana, CA | 44.54 | 154 | 172 | 59 | 195 | 156 | 105 | 18 | 170 |
81 | Salinas, CA | 44.54 | 172 | 189 | 55 | 163 | 88 | 148 | 18 | 137 |
81 | Baton Rouge, LA | 44.54 | 7 | 15 | 150 | 43 | 19 | 166 | 91 | 46 |
84 | Huntsville, AL | 43.92 | 1 | 40 | 64 | 28 | 34 | 73 | 115 | 167 |
85 | Ontario, CA | 43.88 | 175 | 162 | 117 | 135 | 140 | 135 | 18 | 116 |
86 | Oxnard, CA | 43.70 | 187 | 182 | 149 | 98 | 85 | 123 | 18 | 86 |
87 | Oklahoma City, OK | 43.64 | 26 | 50 | 56 | 99 | 108 | 106 | 115 | 16 |
88 | Salt Lake City, UT | 43.58 | 88 | 42 | 118 | 78 | 30 | 78 | 115 | 5 |
89 | Little Rock, AR | 43.55 | 14 | 30 | 78 | 131 | 56 | 103 | 115 | 32 |
90 | Milwaukee, WI | 43.51 | 52 | 129 | 157 | 58 | 17 | 171 | 73 | 7 |
91 | Lexington, KY | 43.45 | 69 | 10 | 30 | 29 | 50 | 84 | 115 | 121 |
92 | Thornton, CO | 43.32 | 146 | 132 | 126 | 116 | 183 | 42 | 65 | 97 |
93 | Newark, NJ | 43.28 | 142 | 139 | 199 | 169 | 131 | 192 | 8 | 87 |
94 | San Bernardino, CA | 43.15 | 132 | 166 | 139 | 154 | 78 | 194 | 18 | 61 |
95 | Greensboro, NC | 43.00 | 63 | 29 | 84 | 57 | 49 | 125 | 91 | 161 |
96 | Winston-Salem, NC | 42.81 | 54 | 45 | 68 | 51 | 75 | 149 | 91 | 71 |
97 | Aurora, IL | 42.78 | 119 | 112 | 57 | 64 | 167 | 49 | 91 | 84 |
98 | Peoria, AZ | 42.59 | 84 | 110 | 73 | 137 | 171 | 41 | 73 | 154 |
99 | Anaheim, CA | 42.58 | 193 | 181 | 124 | 172 | 103 | 96 | 18 | 186 |
100 | Lubbock, TX | 42.48 | 56 | 8 | 25 | 46 | 27 | 140 | 115 | 102 |
101 | Moreno Valley, CA | 42.29 | 165 | 166 | 148 | 160 | 179 | 134 | 18 | 166 |
102 | Metairie, LA | 42.21 | 23 | 24 | 187 | 68 | 90 | 67 | 91 | 83 |
103 | Rockford, IL | 42.18 | 16 | 72 | 38 | 140 | 36 | 174 | 91 | 65 |
104 | Charlotte, NC | 42.17 | 101 | 73 | 111 | 80 | 145 | 57 | 91 | 94 |
105 | Honolulu, HI | 42.03 | 200 | 146 | 42 | 108 | 64 | 45 | 73 | 47 |
106 | Pomona, CA | 41.99 | 174 | 154 | 112 | 200 | 114 | 157 | 18 | 126 |
106 | Mesa, AZ | 41.99 | 70 | 118 | 72 | 123 | 83 | 119 | 73 | 96 |
108 | Toledo, OH | 41.98 | 6 | 39 | 71 | 125 | 32 | 196 | 115 | 2 |
109 | Lancaster, CA | 41.96 | 121 | 160 | 176 | 198 | 169 | 132 | 18 | 107 |
110 | Phoenix, AZ | 41.94 | 81 | 124 | 104 | 199 | 101 | 136 | 73 | 6 |
111 | Anchorage, AK | 41.93 | 133 | 69 | 123 | 72 | 118 | 39 | 115 | 14 |
112 | Tempe, AZ | 41.82 | 93 | 97 | 100 | 174 | 6 | 102 | 73 | 98 |
113 | Durham, NC | 41.71 | 83 | 62 | 151 | 67 | 73 | 68 | 91 | 106 |
114 | Austin, TX | 41.50 | 128 | 95 | 92 | 114 | 117 | 50 | 115 | 15 |
115 | Santa Ana, CA | 41.49 | 194 | 176 | 180 | 173 | 55 | 145 | 18 | 64 |
116 | Reno, NV | 41.41 | 108 | 106 | 119 | 74 | 40 | 85 | 91 | 67 |
117 | Columbus, OH | 41.37 | 59 | 76 | 163 | 47 | 37 | 126 | 115 | 9 |
118 | Alexandria, VA | 41.33 | 164 | 142 | 63 | 20 | 189 | 15 | 115 | 53 |
119 | Henderson, NV | 41.11 | 89 | 131 | 128 | 107 | 92 | 33 | 91 | 146 |
120 | Tallahassee, FL | 41.00 | 104 | 49 | 66 | 134 | 1 | 163 | 115 | 45 |
121 | Jacksonville, FL | 40.75 | 85 | 91 | 17 | 177 | 116 | 111 | 115 | 28 |
122 | Tulsa, OK | 40.66 | 31 | 34 | 83 | 31 | 59 | 142 | 115 | 103 |
123 | St. Louis, MO | 40.65 | 11 | 33 | 129 | 141 | 72 | 154 | 115 | 24 |
124 | Nashville, TN | 40.55 | 94 | 55 | 161 | 19 | 112 | 90 | 115 | 42 |
125 | Indianapolis, IN | 40.53 | 47 | 128 | 46 | 153 | 76 | 138 | 115 | 25 |
126 | Mobile, AL | 40.51 | 24 | 9 | 58 | 39 | 67 | 158 | 115 | 192 |
127 | Baltimore, MD | 40.44 | 58 | 148 | 177 | 100 | 151 | 139 | 73 | 35 |
128 | Macon, GA | 40.42 | 30 | 18 | 145 | 120 | 63 | 179 | 73 | 188 |
129 | Wichita, KS | 40.41 | 13 | 78 | 113 | 60 | 46 | 110 | 115 | 80 |
130 | Palmdale, CA | 40.34 | 143 | 185 | 156 | 197 | 200 | 117 | 18 | 140 |
131 | Murfreesboro, TN | 40.26 | 80 | 32 | 87 | 14 | 111 | 74 | 115 | 189 |
132 | Tucson, AZ | 40.25 | 48 | 85 | 121 | 180 | 12 | 178 | 73 | 72 |
133 | Grand Rapids, MI | 40.21 | 44 | 35 | 137 | 4 | 11 | 143 | 115 | 110 |
134 | Virginia Beach, VA | 40.15 | 139 | 113 | 50 | 41 | 162 | 27 | 115 | 128 |
135 | Chesapeake, VA | 40.14 | 106 | 115 | 48 | 65 | 158 | 29 | 115 | 178 |
136 | Kansas City, KS | 40.12 | 72 | 43 | 77 | 144 | 58 | 176 | 115 | 19 |
137 | Knoxville, TN | 40.06 | 40 | 11 | 61 | 103 | 10 | 169 | 115 | 168 |
138 | Fort Wayne, IN | 40.00 | 5 | 84 | 127 | 40 | 62 | 109 | 115 | 68 |
139 | Enterprise, NV | 39.91 | 137 | 136 | 136 | 37 | 95 | 48 | 91 | 92 |
140 | Shreveport, LA | 39.81 | 9 | 20 | 90 | 170 | 57 | 187 | 91 | 160 |
141 | Glendale, AZ | 39.78 | 68 | 104 | 138 | 168 | 122 | 144 | 73 | 56 |
142 | Springfield, MO | 39.76 | 42 | 16 | 116 | 35 | 8 | 172 | 115 | 123 |
143 | Columbus, GA | 39.65 | 49 | 75 | 146 | 101 | 113 | 165 | 73 | 165 |
144 | Montgomery, AL | 39.49 | 32 | 31 | 164 | 150 | 41 | 162 | 115 | 23 |
145 | Tampa, FL | 39.44 | 87 | 99 | 29 | 112 | 119 | 91 | 115 | 74 |
146 | Chicago, IL | 39.39 | 103 | 125 | 185 | 129 | 182 | 75 | 91 | 34 |
147 | Pittsburgh, PA | 39.17 | 33 | 92 | 95 | 106 | 61 | 83 | 115 | 148 |
148 | Augusta, GA | 39.04 | 73 | 6 | 188 | 48 | 79 | 191 | 73 | 197 |
149 | Amarillo, TX | 38.99 | 28 | 14 | 125 | 105 | 94 | 124 | 115 | 157 |
150 | Orlando, FL | 38.89 | 124 | 82 | 79 | 142 | 104 | 113 | 115 | 48 |
151 | Chattanooga, TN | 38.80 | 36 | 66 | 130 | 84 | 54 | 120 | 115 | 79 |
152 | Joliet, IL | 38.65 | 55 | 109 | 172 | 124 | 184 | 56 | 91 | 176 |
153 | Spring Valley, NV | 38.54 | 127 | 117 | 183 | 11 | 51 | 98 | 91 | 66 |
154 | Fayetteville, NC | 38.43 | 125 | 2 | 134 | 113 | 134 | 182 | 91 | 63 |
155 | Richmond, VA | 38.41 | 100 | 114 | 143 | 45 | 25 | 153 | 115 | 41 |
156 | Clarksville, TN | 38.17 | 78 | 41 | 122 | 12 | 190 | 121 | 115 | 82 |
157 | Irving, TX | 38.13 | 120 | 53 | 109 | 94 | 135 | 77 | 115 | 95 |
158 | Arlington, TX | 37.95 | 95 | 48 | 101 | 75 | 159 | 107 | 115 | 101 |
158 | Corpus Christi, TX | 37.95 | 75 | 22 | 40 | 164 | 128 | 131 | 115 | 152 |
160 | Albuquerque, NM | 37.88 | 35 | 107 | 93 | 189 | 33 | 114 | 115 | 58 |
161 | Cincinnati, OH | 37.77 | 2 | 67 | 142 | 111 | 29 | 168 | 115 | 111 |
162 | Midland, TX | 37.52 | 86 | 12 | 196 | 16 | 195 | 31 | 115 | 135 |
163 | Jackson, MS | 37.44 | 57 | 7 | 182 | 136 | 22 | 190 | 115 | 49 |
164 | San Antonio, TX | 37.41 | 97 | 37 | 74 | 96 | 106 | 146 | 115 | 184 |
165 | St. Petersburg, FL | 37.22 | 96 | 88 | 135 | 97 | 70 | 80 | 115 | 132 |
166 | Hollywood, FL | 37.12 | 145 | 94 | 107 | 85 | 155 | 92 | 115 | 54 |
167 | Las Vegas, NV | 37.09 | 110 | 127 | 169 | 165 | 84 | 118 | 91 | 76 |
168 | Dallas, TX | 36.82 | 123 | 61 | 170 | 126 | 173 | 137 | 115 | 30 |
169 | Pembroke Pines, FL | 36.80 | 150 | 89 | 105 | 93 | 172 | 30 | 115 | 196 |
170 | Paradise, NV | 36.73 | 109 | 98 | 194 | 6 | 23 | 151 | 91 | 105 |
171 | Miramar, FL | 36.61 | 162 | 63 | 115 | 110 | 120 | 66 | 115 | 144 |
172 | Savannah, GA | 36.30 | 118 | 23 | 197 | 138 | 39 | 170 | 73 | 191 |
173 | Fort Worth, TX | 36.15 | 76 | 56 | 165 | 151 | 181 | 87 | 115 | 77 |
174 | Akron, OH | 36.03 | 22 | 81 | 155 | 82 | 38 | 177 | 115 | 117 |
175 | Grand Prairie, TX | 35.76 | 117 | 64 | 147 | 76 | 160 | 99 | 115 | 142 |
176 | New Orleans, LA | 35.55 | 46 | 83 | 173 | 188 | 71 | 160 | 91 | 195 |
177 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 35.49 | 136 | 74 | 158 | 186 | 149 | 89 | 115 | 50 |
178 | Newport News, VA | 35.41 | 107 | 102 | 131 | 130 | 110 | 108 | 115 | 143 |
179 | North Las Vegas, NV | 35.38 | 129 | 126 | 193 | 87 | 96 | 133 | 91 | 91 |
180 | Cape Coral, FL | 35.37 | 144 | 111 | 160 | 17 | 143 | 79 | 115 | 181 |
181 | El Paso, TX | 35.30 | 60 | 70 | 132 | 146 | 98 | 159 | 115 | 159 |
182 | Dayton, OH | 35.19 | 8 | 101 | 191 | 55 | 4 | 197 | 115 | 52 |
183 | Port St. Lucie, FL | 35.12 | 153 | 123 | 103 | 63 | 163 | 72 | 115 | 182 |
184 | Birmingham, AL | 35.03 | 21 | 26 | 186 | 133 | 42 | 183 | 115 | 139 |
185 | Philadelphia, PA | 34.91 | 98 | 133 | 166 | 132 | 165 | 167 | 115 | 33 |
186 | Killeen, TX | 34.19 | 74 | 93 | 144 | 102 | 177 | 152 | 115 | 134 |
187 | Pasadena, TX | 33.94 | 67 | 47 | 179 | 83 | 194 | 155 | 115 | 141 |
188 | Memphis, TN | 33.93 | 50 | 57 | 168 | 167 | 44 | 185 | 115 | 155 |
189 | Sunrise Manor, NV | 33.90 | 112 | 136 | 195 | 18 | 74 | 184 | 91 | 70 |
190 | Cleveland, OH | 33.89 | 15 | 96 | 154 | 104 | 20 | 199 | 115 | 78 |
191 | Houston, TX | 33.69 | 111 | 77 | 152 | 152 | 174 | 147 | 115 | 124 |
192 | Miami, FL | 33.59 | 161 | 79 | 76 | 162 | 141 | 161 | 115 | 156 |
193 | Garland, TX | 33.46 | 135 | 71 | 192 | 69 | 164 | 129 | 115 | 120 |
194 | McAllen, TX | 33.23 | 19 | 28 | 181 | 158 | 99 | 180 | 115 | 193 |
195 | Laredo, TX | 32.47 | 62 | 80 | 190 | 86 | 81 | 193 | 115 | 172 |
196 | Mesquite, TX | 31.94 | 115 | 44 | 200 | 145 | 185 | 127 | 115 | 57 |
196 | Norfolk, VA | 31.94 | 122 | 116 | 153 | 159 | 137 | 156 | 115 | 180 |
198 | Hialeah, FL | 31.80 | 160 | 13 | 140 | 156 | 93 | 175 | 115 | 171 |
199 | Brownsville, TX | 30.84 | 64 | 25 | 189 | 175 | 53 | 198 | 115 | 183 |
200 | Detroit, MI | 30.35 | 39 | 90 | 171 | 185 | 35 | 200 | 115 | 69 |
Highlights and Lowlights
The Boston (Single) Pops
Boston tops our ranking of the Best Cities for Single Dads. The city performs well in a number of metrics, but the real reason Beantown is No. 1 is because of high marks in the Dad Protections category, thanks to generous time off and paid family-leave policies.
Two other Massachusetts cities — Springfield and Worcester — also perform well overall at Nos. 9 and 10, respectively. While these smaller towns don’t have all the amenities of Boston, they share statewide parent-friendly protections, which make The Bay State an excellent choice for dads raising their children alone.
Pleasant Parenting in the Pacific Northwest
Oregon and Washington are another regional hotspot that dominated our ranking of the Best Cities for Single Dads: Five of the top 10 cities are from Oregon and Washington.
Pacific Northwest cities performed exceptionally well in several categories. Bellevue, Washington, came in at No. 14 on Health and Education Systems and No. 3 on Socioeconomic Environment. In Oregon, Salem, Eugene, and Portland all share fourth place on Dad Protections.
Clearly there’s something special about being a single dad in Cascadia.
Tough Times in Texas
Life in Texas can be tough for fathers flying solo. Brownsville lands at No. 199 on our ranking of the 200 biggest cities, Houston at No. 191, and El Paso at 181. Even the overall highest-ranking Texas cities, Frisco at No. 35 and Plano at 75, finish well behind the leaders of the pack.
Many Texas cities also perform poorly in the Dad Support category, with El Paso at 159 and McAllen at 193.
Brownsville, in fact, is an interesting tale of two cities. While Western Gulf Coast city is a surprising No. 1 for its low cost of living, it also ranks 197 in uninsured children, 195 in food insecurity, and last in median annual income for working men.
They say everything is bigger in Texas, but maybe not better when it comes to Best Cities for Single Dads.
Ask The Experts
The pandemic tested dads’ limits and in many ways made them better parents. But now that life is returning to normal, will single parenting be like it was pre-pandemic?
We asked a panel of experts to weigh in. See what they had to say below.
- Post-pandemic, what can single dads expect their roles to look like?
- What are the best ways for single dads to find social and emotional support if they don’t have a strong network?
- What less familiar government incentives or social programs are available to single dads (or single parents in general) struggling financially?
- How are societal pressures and expectations different for single dads vs. single moms?
- What are some meaningful ways that busy single dads can spend more time with their kids?
Post-pandemic, what can single dads expect their roles to look like?
If they are a parent with total custody, I would expect their role to be very much like it was before. They have many of the problems single mothers have, such as needing more flexible work hours, family leave time, suitable childcare, etc.
Hopefully, if they were able to keep their job and work from home, the pandemic allowed many fathers to spend more quality time with their children.
What are the best ways for single dads to find social and emotional support if they don’t have a strong network?
Develop their own support organizations. Find other single fathers with similar problems. Single mothers have had support organizations for years. Men need to create similar organizations.
How are societal pressures and expectations different for single dads vs. single moms?
Most women are socialized to be self-supporting, independent, but also “motherly.”
Men are socialized to be “manly” to be strong, aggressive, protective, a “take charge” mentality. Men are teased if they “act like a girl.”
A single father is going to have to learn how to be nurturing, to show emotions, to be “motherly” when they become a single father.
What are some meaningful ways that busy single dads can spend more time with their kids?
- Encourage their employer to allow them to work part-time from home.
- Be willing to spend their free time with child-oriented activities rather than participating in free time with their buddies.
- Give up working overtime or accepting promotions that will require more time.
- Participate in volunteering at school.
- Start their own company, which will allow them to work at home.
- Take the child to work with them if it is safe.
- When doing household tasks, encourage the kids to help (many young kids love to “help” their parents).
Post-pandemic, what can single dads expect their roles to look like?
Life after the pandemic is such a major question for anyone in our society where we are all subject to changes and shifts in our lives.
It’s really difficult to predict what that will look like, but based on research we do know that various factors will likely have important impacts. Family routines, family structure (divorce, step-parents, etc.), work schedules, financial changes, and family or social support networks have a substantial impact on fathers that will force many dads to rethink their ways of living and the choices they make around their children.
Single fathers have the luxury of adjusting to these changes and making decisions independently, but they also tend to lack the supports that are helpful in adjusting to these changes.
What are the best ways for single dads to find social and emotional support if they don’t have a strong network?
For single Dads, creating a support network around their children can be incredibly helpful. Men tend to center friendships and social networks around activities like sports, business, games, etc., where conversations and interactions are built around a common experience.
Getting involved in activities in which their children are involved is a great way to build a network. Single dads can introduce their children to their own personal interests and support their children’s growth and learning in these activities based on their own skill sets and abilities.
Coaching or volunteering in activities also provide opportunities to connect with other dads and like-minded individuals.
Attending events focused on children and engaging with other parents can be instrumental in connecting with others in meaningful ways.
There are of course more structured activities and supports (i.e. support groups, parenting classes, clubs, etc.) that bring together single fathers often provided by social-service agencies that can be excellent ways for fathers to engage with other like-minded individuals, as well.
What less familiar government incentives or social programs are available to single dads (or single parents in general) struggling financially?
Every state and local municipality varies in the extent to which programs are available to fathers. Unfortunately, father-focused programming is lacking across the board, although some communities are better than others.
I suggest reaching out to the professionals in the local organizations and searching websites to see what is available in each specific community. Families or fathers with lower incomes have more resources available to them, especially financially, and it would be valuable to reach out to your local health and human services departments to see what is available and what criteria are needed to participate in the programs.
How are societal pressures and expectations different for single dads vs. single moms?
Fortunately, the climate on this topic is shifting. Historically, single fathers were not as common as today, and the single parenting world was pretty well dominated by single moms.
As more fathers are taking active roles in their children’s lives independent of the involvement of their ex-partners, single-fathering has become less taboo. In some ways single fathers have been given more credit for their involvement with their children.
Mothers are often assumed to be actively involved with their kids and being a single parent is expected, whereas fathers who step up as single parents have been an exception rather than a rule.
Many single fathers report being approached with compliments and surprise at their engagement with their children, which, while helpful, can be off-putting to some fathers, suggesting that their involvement as a father is optional.
What are some meaningful ways that busy single dads can spend more time with their kids?
The key for busy single fathers to better engage with children is to structure their lives and activities around the needs and interests of their children.
If fatherhood is central to a man’s identity, they will be more likely to arrange their lives in ways that make sense to be a more engaged father, and sometimes that is very challenging and requires sacrifice. Sometimes this can mean taking a less active role in their careers and making active sacrifices to be present for their kids.
Maybe careers and jobs that require frequent travel, burdensome performance expectations, or have poor family policies are not the best fit for single fathers who want to be actively involved. This can be challenging for some careers and so other strategies may be more beneficial.
I suggested getting involved as coaches or volunteers for children’s activities in a previous question, which I think applies to this one, as well.
Participating in activities with children or setting up activities that are natural and organic to the needs of the family environment can be helpful. Letting kids participate in activities, such as home maintenance, car repairs, or lawn care, can be great ways to accomplish needed tasks, teach your children life skills, and build a strong relationship with them.
Post-pandemic, what can single dads expect their roles to look like?
Transitions can be difficult, even if it’s a transition back to “normal.” Life will not be the same after going through all that we have during the pandemic.
Single dads would do well to pause and take stock of what they’ve experienced and how their and their children’s lives have changed.
Are there changes that they would like to keep in place or work to amend?
For many families, the pandemic highlighted dynamics and roles that were already in place. Are single dads satisfied with these dynamics?
Some families have reported increased closeness while others have experienced heightened conflict.
What are the best ways for single dads to find social and emotional support if they don’t have a strong network?
Single dads often have a lot of roles and responsibilities, and they can find it difficult to take care of themselves as much as they do for others. So, it’s a feat for some to just acknowledge that they need social and emotional support. That’s often the hardest step.
Once single dads are aware that they need more support than they currently have, consider if there are any friendships that could be strengthened by initiating doing things together or calling to talk.
There is a socialized barrier that many men feel that prevents men from expressing or acting on their desire for stronger and deeper friendships.
Men who are looking for social and emotional support can trust that there are many men who feel similarly, but who may be equally reluctant to reach out.
There are also some wonderful organizations around that are explicitly aimed at creating and strengthening friendships for men, including the Mankind Project and Everyman.
How are societal pressures and expectations different for single dads vs. single moms?
As I mentioned above, it is generally more natural for women (e.g., single moms) to reach out to a friend for support. But that is just societal conditioning.
Men and single dads need just as much support just as women and single moms, but dads are often more reluctant to share that they are overwhelmed or struggling.
What are some meaningful ways that busy single dads can spend more time with their kids?
Research that I’ve conducted with young children and their parents indicated that, by far, the two best ways to show love and affection toward children is through physical and verbal expressions of love (e.g., “I love you,” “It’s so fun spending time together”) and through playing together. Play is how children communicate, and there are endless ways of playing together with children.
Single dads can make driving together into a game (e.g., take turns making up sentences to a story), bath time into a game (e.g., time how long they can hold their breath underwater), and eating meals into enjoyable conversation (e.g., ask if they could have a superpower, what would it be).
With teenagers, asking simple questions and just listening to understand (rather than quickly giving advice or trying to help them feel better about something) helps them to feel comfortable sharing and coming to their parents. It’s much more about the quality of time rather than the quantity of time.
Methodology
We ranked the 200 largest U.S. cities from best (No. 1) to worst (No. 200) based on their overall scores (out of 100 possible points), averaged across the weighted metrics below.
Metric | Weighting | Min. Value | Max. Value | Best |
---|---|---|---|---|
Affordability | ||||
Cost of Living | 3 | 74 | 206 | Min. Value |
Housing Affordability for Male Workers | 3 | 22.63 | 75.35 | Max. Value |
Copays as a Share of Household Income | 1 | 0% | 22% | Min. Value |
Child Care | ||||
Baby Supply Stores per 100,000 Residents | 1 | 0 | 6.87 | Max. Value |
Child Care Workers per 100,000 Residents | 3 | 63.48 | 443.42 | Max. Value |
Hourly Cost of Babysitter | 2 | $11.25 | $19.25 | Min. Value |
Annual Cost of Child Care | 2 | $5,864 | $21,256 | Min. Value |
Health and Education Systems | ||||
Hospitals per Capita | 1 | 0 | 147.78 | Max. Value |
Quality of Public Hospitals | 3 | 80 | 95 | Max. Value |
Family Practitioners per 100,000 Residents | 2 | 3.16 | 124.06 | Max. Value |
Share of Uninsured Children | 3 | 0.05% | 13.97% | Min. Value |
Quality of Public Schools | 3 | 6 | 10.5 | Max. Value |
Home and Outdoor Environments | ||||
Median Air Quality Index | 1 | 20 | 119 | Min. Value |
Walk Score | 1 | 13 | 98 | Max. Value |
Pedestrian Fatalities per 100,000 Residents | 1 | 0 | 7.67 | Min. Value |
Yard Size | 1 | 2744 | 23951 | Max. Value |
Crime Index | 1 | 0 | 88 | Max. Value |
"Best Cities for Water Quality" Rank | 1 | 1 | 200 | Min. Value |
Share of Homes with Severe Housing Problems | 1 | 0.1 | 0.33 | Min. Value |
Work Environment | ||||
Average Length of Work Week (in Hours) for Men | 2 | 36.7 | 46.4 | Min. Value |
Average Commute Time (in Minutes) for Men | 2 | 17.8 | 48.6 | Min. Value |
Socioeconomic Environment | ||||
Median Annual Income for Working Men | 3 | 31974 | 116445 | Max. Value |
Share of Men with College Degree | 2 | 10.1 | 75.5 | Max. Value |
Share of Working Men in Poverty | 2 | 1.60% | 19.93% | Min. Value |
Share of Children Under 18 in Poverty | 2 | 3.1 | 50.2 | Min. Value |
Food Insecurity | 1 | 0.06 | 0.18 | Min. Value |
Dad Protections | ||||
Length of Paid Family Leave Allowed | 3 | 0 | 12 | Max. Value |
Share of Wage Replacement | 2 | 0% | 100% | Max. Value |
Availability of Job Protection in Paid Family Leave Policy (Yes/No) | 3 | 0 | 1 | Max. Value |
Availability of State Law Allowing Sick Leave for Child Care (Yes/No) | 3 | 0 | 1 | Max. Value |
Availability of Protected Time Off for School Events (Yes/No) | 2 | 0 | 1 | Max. Value |
Dad Support | ||||
Single-Dads per 100,000 Residents | 2 | 332.2 | 1521.61 | Max. Value |
Availability of Fatherhood Program(s) | 2 | 0 | 1 | Max. Value |
Dad Support Groups per 100,000 Single Dads | 2 | 0 | 420.49 | Max. Value |
Sources: AreaVibes, Care.com, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Child Care Aware of America, County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, LawnStarter, Livability, Meetup, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, NeighborhoodScout, Niche, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Walk Score, Workplace Fairness, and Yelp
Why This Study Matters
Fatherhood isn’t what it used to be. In recent years, paternal roles have changed, and attitudes about family have shifted, especially during the pandemic.
What hasn’t changed are the struggles of single parenting, like finding child care, relying on a single income, maintaining work-life balance, or holding a steady job.
Now that the pandemic is all but behind us, solo dads are back to juggling some of the same pre-pandemic responsibilities, too: putting in extra hours at work for additional income, taking the kids to dance or soccer practice, prepping meals.
Doing all of that alone can leave dads vulnerable to stress and hardship.
That’s why support in every possible form is so important: Every bit of help — even clean air and a spacious yard for kids to run around and play while dad tries to get work done — can make a huge difference.
And you can help your dad, too. Mow his lawn this week ahead of Father’s Day or hire a pro to take that chore off his hands so you can spend more time with Pops this weekend.
Main Photo Credit: Shutterstock