Families looking for the right balance between career opportunities and raising kids don’t have to look far, because two North Texas cities are leading the way. A new national study ranks both Frisco and Plano among the top places for working parents in 2025, highlighting their affordability, flexibility and family-friendly resources.
Researchers analyzed 93 U.S. cities across ten metrics, including childcare affordability, access to high-quality education, job opportunities and the rise of remote work. Frisco and Plano emerged as national leaders, offering parents the rare combination of strong career options and manageable childcare costs.
The findings reinforce a growing trend: Texas continues to set the pace for working families. Nine Texas cities landed in the top 20 nationally for childcare affordability, cementing the state’s role as a leader in easing one of the biggest financial pressures parents face.
Frisco: A Hub For Flexibility And Family Life
Ranked fifth nationwide, Frisco is quickly becoming a model for how cities can support working parents. Nearly 34% of residents work remotely — one of the highest rates in the country — while the city also boasts an impressive 84% office job market.
Photo: Vincent Doyle | Shutterstock
Childcare affordability is another area where Frisco shines. Families spend just 7% of their median household income on childcare, the lowest share in the nation. Beyond affordability, the city offers almost 10 acres of green space per 1,000 residents, giving kids room to play and parents peace of mind.
With high household incomes and a strong reputation for safety, Frisco delivers both economic opportunity and quality of life, making it one of the top choices for parents nationwide.
Plano: Stability With Room To Grow
Plano ranked 12th nationally, offering a slightly different but equally attractive mix for working families. The city balances affordability with job market strength. Childcare accounts for 9.4% of the median household income, while 79% of the workforce holds office jobs.
Remote work opportunities are also on the rise, with 25.3% of residents working from home. This flexibility helps parents juggle professional demands and family time, reinforcing Plano’s reputation as a city where families can thrive without sacrificing career momentum.
Texas Cities Lead The Way
Austin also cracked the top 15, while several other Texas cities ranked high in childcare affordability. Together, they illustrate a broader shift in how families view the state, not just as a hub for jobs and growth, but as a place where raising children is becoming more sustainable.
On the national level, Washington, D.C. took the top spot for working parents, followed by Arlington, Virginia and Seattle, Washington. Still, North Texas’ strong showing proves that when it comes to balancing work and family, the region is among the best in the country.
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