The 15 Best Cities For Single Moms To Live In

Dear Single Moms, we know how tough it can be to raise a strong family mainly on your own. When pulling together this list of best cities for single moms we took into consideration the safety of a town, the job market and the community support available. We also included cities where African-Americans are doing well in general. Please feel free to take a deeper dive via our trusted sources cited below.

According to Nerd Wallet, smaller cities top bigger cities when it comes to solo parenting as they offer a more stable (and generally safer) community, a more affordable cost of living, and better transportation. Thus, many of the cities on this list may surprise you.

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Washington, D. C.

This diverse population is noted as having the most Black internships available in the U.S. For mommies attending college or mothers seeking colleges for their young adult, this may be a great location for you! —Everything GG

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Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Virgina

It ranks high on Forbes’ list of best cities for African-Americans and with a homeownership rate of over 40 percent and a median household income of over $40k we can see why. Plus, you know they’ve got beaches! They also have a branch of government dedicated to helping single moms find permanent shelter.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 

Pittsburgh, Pa. was ranked number eight by CBS News. This southwestern Pennsylvanian city is known for its affordability and hosts a range of programs to support single moms. That includes both younger and older mothers. — CBS NEWS

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte has a variety of organizations dedicated to helping single moms and dads, but it’s also highly recommended to millennials and those seeking work. It boasts a higher-than-average family income for successful African Americans and is home to a bevy of big businesses, which help boost the local economy.

Atlanta, Georgia

This list would not be complete without this top-tier city, especially for African Americans. Whether you’re a single mom or a parental unit of two or more, with average homeownership rates of 46 percent and a median household income of $42k, this is the place to be. And the plethora of art and cultural activities available in this city make us very confident that this city is a beacon of light calling all single moms.

Royal Oak, Michigan

This Detroit suburb makes the top 10 for its robust performance in every ranking: affordable housing, reasonable day care costs, short commutes and more. It also scored well on poverty measures with 16.5 percent of its single mothers below the poverty line. Single parents can connect with others at the Southeast Michigan Single Parents Meetup, which is based in Royal Oak and has more than 400 members. — Nerd Wallet

Raleigh, North Carolina

Another North Carolina city makes our list. This southern city has done well by African Americans for quite some time. It boasts a median household income of $42k and a population growth of over 55 percent in the past decade. On top of this it’s only a two-hour drive from Charlotte, which boasts a plethora of programs aimed at supporting single moms.

Rochester, New York

Rochester has a lot going for it, especially in terms of overall affordability and a strong job market.  You can buy a home for around $100,000 (the median home value in the Rochester Metro is $116,000, down 3.9 percent YOY). Wegmans, Strong Memorial Hospital, and colleges like The University of Rochester, and the Rochester Institute of Technology provide steady employment opportunities. Good public schools are also a perk of living in Rochester. –Zillow

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Cedar Park, Texas

Like North Carolina, Texas earns two spots in our top 10 with Cedar Park, an Austin suburb. Cedar Park made the top 10 because of affordable day care and also for its inexpensive housing costs. Parents there will pay a median of about $1,700 a month toward their rent or mortgage.  — Nerd Wallet

Ann Arbor, Michigan

With a predicted job market growth of over 35 percent and a  population of 114,000 residents, this university town is a really great option!

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Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers is pretty famous for its beaches, golf and farmers’ markets. It seems to be a pretty affordable place to live.

 Bakersfield, California

According to Zillow, “(Bakersfield) scored in the top third for education spending per pupil. Increasing rates of foreclosures and declining home values make it possible for qualified buyers to negotiate good deal on a home.” –– CBS News/ Zillow

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Port St. Lucie, Florida

Port St. Lucie, Fla. earned the number two spot on the list. Zillow reports, “Women have an opportunity to earn a competitive income, compared to men, in Port St. Lucie. … Another bonus is affordable housing; the median home value is $106,600.” —CBS News/ Zillow

Like others on the list, median household incomes hit over $40k annually, and the homeownership rate is over 40 percent. On top of this, organizations and sites like Single Mom Assistance.org are run by San Antonians.