Three new cities moved into the best places for families in Connecticut according to the HomeSnacks most family friendly places for 2026 report.
Each year we analyze what we feel are the best places for families in Connecticut. We take into account categories that we all agree make a state great for families like family friendly amenities and percentage of households that currently have kids. We also take into account places with solid schools, low crime, and great jobs with competitive salaries. We even looked at short commute times. According to the Happiness Research Institute, most families don’t like where they live and wished they lived somewhere better. However, not the folks in our most family friendly places in Connecticut.
How did we determine Connecticut’s most family friendly places? We consulted the US Census on places in this New England state with more than 11,000 residents. We ended up with 32 family friendly Connecticut places that any family would be lucky to call home.
We also discovered that there are family friendly places for every budget. The Constitution State has hip places for families just starting out like Milford, idyllic Norman Rockwell-esque places like Simsbury Center, and upscale places like Norwalk for families who don’t have to worry about being on a budget.
Are you surprised by this year’s results? Pull up a chair and put a smile on your face as we look at Connecticut’s best places for families.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In Connecticut For 2026
When you choose to live in one of Connecticut’s best places for families, you are choosing to live where you can keep your family safe, happy, and healthy. You are choosing to live where your Connecticut salary will go the furthest for your family. And that, Connecticuters, makes perfect sense.
So, what’s the best place for families to live in Connecticut for 2026? Drum roll… the number one best place for families in The Nutmeg State is Greenwich based on the most recent Census data.
To see how your city compared, take a look at the list below. And if you don’t find your favorite there, head on down to the bottom.
More reading about Connecticut and the best places for families in the country:
- Best Places To Live In Connecticut
- Cheapest Places To Live In Connecticut
- Best Cities To Raise A Family In America
- Best States To Raise A Family In America
The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Connecticut For 2026
/10
Population: 14,792
Median Income: $134,914
Average Home Price: $2,265,961
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 47
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 29.9%
More on Greenwich: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 14,315
Median Income: $142,325
Average Home Price: $619,525
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 62
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 33.0%
More on Orange: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 11,404
Median Income: $90,848
Average Home Price: $554,247
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 52
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 29.3%
More on Bethel: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 18,096
Median Income: $45,962
Average Home Price: $266,599
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 63
Closest Major City: Worcester
Households with kids: 31.5%
More on Willimantic: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 63,620
Median Income: $129,890
Average Home Price: $487,818
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 56
Closest Major City: Worcester
Households with kids: 29.4%
More on West Hartford: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 41,889
Median Income: $108,185
Average Home Price: $549,373
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 41
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 28.9%
More on Shelton: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 27,250
Median Income: $126,806
Average Home Price: $424,098
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 45
Closest Major City: Worcester
Households with kids: 28.3%
More on Wethersfield: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 12,579
Median Income: $81,205
Average Home Price: $327,844
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 46
Closest Major City: Worcester
Households with kids: 27.5%
More on Windsor Locks: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 24,336
Median Income: $132,689
Average Home Price: $460,565
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 50
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 32.1%
More on North Haven: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
/10
Population: 19,033
Median Income: $85,877
Average Home Price: $374,885
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 57
Closest Major City: Yonkers
Households with kids: 30.8%
More on Ansonia: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Movers
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in Connecticut anyways?
To give you the places in Connecticut that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of Connecticut, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 11,000 people. For Connecticut, that meant a total of 32 cities.
We updated this article for 2026. This is our eleventh time ranking the best cities for families in Connecticut.
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In Connecticut
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in Connecticut ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in Connecticut are Greenwich, Orange, Bethel, Willimantic, West Hartford, Shelton, Wethersfield, Windsor Locks, North Haven, and Ansonia.
Here’s a look at the best cities for singles Connecticut according to the data:
- Meriden
- Waterbury
- New Britain
For more Connecticut reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Connecticut
- Most Dangerous Cities In Connecticut
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Connecticut
Best Places For Families In Connecticut
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Amenities Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greenwich, CT | 14,792 | $134,914 | $2,265,961 | 48 |
| 2 | Orange, CT | 14,315 | $142,325 | $619,525 | 42 |
| 3 | Bethel, CT | 11,404 | $90,848 | $554,247 | 52 |
| 4 | Willimantic, CT | 18,096 | $45,962 | $266,599 | 60 |
| 5 | West Hartford, CT | 63,620 | $129,890 | $487,818 | 63 |
| 6 | Shelton, CT | 41,889 | $108,185 | $549,373 | 61 |
| 7 | Wethersfield, CT | 27,250 | $126,806 | $424,098 | 44 |
| 8 | Windsor Locks, CT | 12,579 | $81,205 | $327,844 | 49 |
| 9 | North Haven, CT | 24,336 | $132,689 | $460,565 | 34 |
| 10 | Ansonia, CT | 19,033 | $85,877 | $374,885 | 57 |