Updated Jan 2026

Best Cities for LGBTQ+ Families Inclusive and safe

Progressive, safe, and welcoming communities.

2026 Rankings at a Glance

Rank City State Population Median Income Action
1
New York โ˜… Top Pick
NY 8,258,035 $76,577
2
CA 3,820,963 $79,701
3
IL 2,664,454 $74,474
4
TX 2,311,461 $62,637
5
AZ 1,650,051 $79,664
6
PA 1,550,542 $60,302
7
TX 1,495,312 $62,322
8
CA 1,388,312 $105,780
9
TX 1,302,859 $70,121
10
FL 985,837 $68,069
11
TX 979,700 $91,501
12
TX 976,932 $77,082
13
CA 969,615 $136,229
14
NC 911,307 $80,581
15
OH 909,074 $62,350

How We Ranked These Cities

Cost of Living Data

Housing index, utilities, groceries, and transportation costs from Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Crime Statistics

FBI Uniform Crime Report data for violent and property crime rates per 100,000 residents.

Economic Opportunity

Median household income, unemployment rates, and job market health from Census Bureau.

Housing Market

Median home prices and rental costs from Zillow Research and Census data.

Detailed City Profiles

#1
Population
8,258,035
Med. Income
$76,577
Cost of Living
112.5
Home Price
$275,200

New York, NY ranks #1 in our analysis with a population of 8,258,035 and a median household income of $76,577. With a cost of living index of 112.5, it's above the national average but offers strong value for what you get.

Explore the full New York city guide โ†’

#2

Los Angeles, CA

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Population
3,820,963
Med. Income
$79,701
Cost of Living
115.5
Home Price
$254,400

Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 in our analysis with a population of 3,820,963 and a median household income of $79,701. With a cost of living index of 115.5, it's above the national average but offers strong value for what you get.

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#3
Population
2,664,454
Med. Income
$74,474
Cost of Living
102.6
Home Price
$171,400

Chicago, IL ranks #3 in our analysis with a population of 2,664,454 and a median household income of $74,474. The cost of living index of 102.6 is near the national average.

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#4
Population
2,311,461
Med. Income
$62,637
Cost of Living
100.2
Home Price
$135,700

Houston, TX ranks #4 in our analysis with a population of 2,311,461 and a median household income of $62,637. The cost of living index of 100.2 is near the national average.

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#5
Population
1,650,051
Med. Income
$79,664
Cost of Living
105.5
Home Price
$187,700

Phoenix, AZ ranks #5 in our analysis with a population of 1,650,051 and a median household income of $79,664. The cost of living index of 105.5 is near the national average.

Explore the full Phoenix city guide โ†’

#6

Philadelphia, PA

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Population
1,550,542
Med. Income
$60,302
Cost of Living
103.5
Home Price
$173,700

Philadelphia, PA ranks #6 in our analysis with a population of 1,550,542 and a median household income of $60,302. The cost of living index of 103.5 is near the national average.

Explore the full Philadelphia city guide โ†’

#7

San Antonio, TX

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Population
1,495,312
Med. Income
$62,322
Cost of Living
93.7
Home Price
$145,800

San Antonio, TX ranks #7 in our analysis with a population of 1,495,312 and a median household income of $62,322. The cost of living index of 93.7 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.

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#8

San Diego, CA

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Population
1,388,312
Med. Income
$105,780
Cost of Living
111.5
Home Price
$283,300

San Diego, CA ranks #8 in our analysis with a population of 1,388,312 and a median household income of $105,780. With a cost of living index of 111.5, it's above the national average but offers strong value for what you get.

Explore the full San Diego city guide โ†’

#9
Population
1,302,859
Med. Income
$70,121
Cost of Living
103.3
Home Price
$175,800

Dallas, TX ranks #9 in our analysis with a population of 1,302,859 and a median household income of $70,121. The cost of living index of 103.3 is near the national average.

Explore the full Dallas city guide โ†’

#10

Jacksonville, FL

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Population
985,837
Med. Income
$68,069
Cost of Living
99.2
Home Price
$160,400

Jacksonville, FL ranks #10 in our analysis with a population of 985,837 and a median household income of $68,069. The cost of living index of 99.2 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.

Explore the full Jacksonville city guide โ†’

#11
Population
979,700
Med. Income
$91,501
Cost of Living
97.6
Home Price
$195,000

Austin, TX ranks #11 in our analysis with a population of 979,700 and a median household income of $91,501. The cost of living index of 97.6 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.

Explore the full Austin city guide โ†’

#12

Fort Worth, TX

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Population
976,932
Med. Income
$77,082
Cost of Living
103.3
Home Price
$161,700

Fort Worth, TX ranks #12 in our analysis with a population of 976,932 and a median household income of $77,082. The cost of living index of 103.3 is near the national average.

Explore the full Fort Worth city guide โ†’

#13
Population
969,615
Med. Income
$136,229
Cost of Living
112.9
Home Price
$313,200

San Jose, CA ranks #13 in our analysis with a population of 969,615 and a median household income of $136,229. With a cost of living index of 112.9, it's above the national average but offers strong value for what you get.

Explore the full San Jose city guide โ†’

#14

Charlotte, NC

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Population
911,307
Med. Income
$80,581
Cost of Living
97
Home Price
$155,400

Charlotte, NC ranks #14 in our analysis with a population of 911,307 and a median household income of $80,581. The cost of living index of 97 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.

Explore the full Charlotte city guide โ†’

#15
Population
909,074
Med. Income
$62,350
Cost of Living
94.5
Home Price
$130,200

Columbus, OH ranks #15 in our analysis with a population of 909,074 and a median household income of $62,350. The cost of living index of 94.5 is below the national average, making it an affordable option.

Explore the full Columbus city guide โ†’

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