NASHVILLE, Tenn. (OSBORNE) -- Tennessee ranked way down a recent list of the best and worst places to raise a family.
WMOT reporting partner Wallethub.com recently ranked the nation’s 150 largest cities using 41 metrics including the cost of housing, the quality of local schools and healthcare systems.
Nashville pulled down the state’s best score, but only managed 58th on the list. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzalez says, believe it or not, one of the metrics that pushed Tennessee so far down on the list, was the divorce rate.
“That always lowers the percentage of two parent families and in some cases increases those families living below the poverty line or receiving food stamps on the SNAP program.”
Cities ranking as some of the best places in the country to raise a family were located in Kansas, Wisconsin, Texas, Washington and California. Gonzalez says they had several metrics in common.
“Great education and childcare opportunities, great places for health for your kids and safe places as well.”
Wallethub notes that Tennessee cities did rank well in at least one category; the availability of recreational opportunities.
“A lot of parkland in many of these cities. There’s a lot of playgrounds, state parks, rinks, basketball (courts) and baseball diamonds… So the good thing is that there’s a lot of affordable ways to go out and have fun and just spend time with your kids.”
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