The Best U.S. Housing Markets for Single Parents

Jan 07, 2025

Recent reports on the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population reveal that 66% of single-female-headed families and 56% of single-male-headed families in the D.C. metro area fall below the ALICE threshold of financial survival—the minimum income needed to cover basic living expenses—compared to 19% of married-parent families. This financial struggle is not unique to D.C. Single parents across the country face the daunting challenge of balancing work, childcare, and household duties on their own. The decision of where to live adds another layer of complexity to an already overwhelming situation.

To assist in this crucial choice, United Way of the National Capital Area ranked the 50 largest U.S. cities against a range of criteria that affect the lives of single parents, including single-parent homeownership rates, housing affordability, and access to FHA loans. Additionally, we considered childcare costs, public school ratings, property taxes, homeowners insurance rates, and unemployment rates, all to identify the best cities for single moms and dads to purchase a home.

The Best and Worst U.S. Cities for Single-Parent Homeownership

The five best U.S. cities for single-parent homeownership are:

Birmingham, AL
Salt Lake City, UT
New Orleans, LA
Indianapolis, IN
Tampa, FL

Birmingham, AL, not only leads as the top U.S. housing market for single parents but also boasts some of the most family-friendly financial advantages in the country. With the fifth-highest number of HUD loans for FHA home purchases (25.35 loans per 10K residents), Alabama makes homeownership more accessible to single parents. Alabama’s distinction as the state with the lowest childcare costs, averaging $8,771 annually for daycare, further eases the financial burden. The national average cost of childcare is $11,582.

Birmingham also offers the second-lowest average babysitting fee at $15.73 per hour, the third-lowest unemployment rate in the study (2.4%), and the second-lowest property tax rate (0.42%). Additionally, its cost of living is 8% lower than the national average, making it an affordable and supportive environment for single-parent homeowners.

Salt Lake City, UT is the second-best city for single-parent homeownership, thanks to its impressive single-parent homeownership rate, which is the third-highest in the study. According to U.S. Census data, 58% of single parents in Salt Lake City are homeowners. Utah’s low property tax rate of 0.45% further enhances the area’s affordability. Utah is also the state with the second-lowest annual daycare costs, averaging $9,180 per year for one child.

New Orleans, LA ranks as the third-best U.S. housing market for single parents. Louisiana boasts the second-highest number of HUD loans for FHA home purchases, 27.92 loans per 10K residents. With a relatively low home price-to-income ratio of 5.67, New Orleans offers affordable housing options, reflected in an average home value of $241,940 against a median single-parent income of $42,675. Additionally, Louisiana stands out as the state with the fifth-lowest childcare costs in the country, averaging $9,504 annually for one child.

New York, Los Angeles, and San Jose, CA rank as the three most challenging cities for single-parent homeownership due to their high home price-to-income ratios and steep living costs. In these cities, the median home prices far exceed what most single-parent households can afford, making it difficult to achieve homeownership. For example, in Los Angeles, the average home value is $962,388, but the median income for a single parent is only $49,536. Additionally, these cities have some of the highest property tax rates and childcare costs in the country, further straining the financial resources of single-parent families.

Looking at the National Capital Area, Washington D.C. ranks as the seventh most challenging housing market for single parents primarily due to its steep housing costs. Despite a higher median income for single parents at $67,730, this figure falls short when compared to the city’s average home value of $568,862. Adding to the financial strain, the District of Columbia has the highest childcare costs in the nation, exceeding $23,000 annually for just one child. The city’s public schools are also rated below average, and the overall cost of living in D.C. is 39% higher than the national average.

On the positive side, Washington, D.C. benefits from a relatively low unemployment rate of 2.6%, offering more job stability than many other cities. Additionally, the District of Columbia boasts lower home insurance rates than any other state in the study, averaging $1,467 annually on a $400K home, well below the study’s average of $2,634.

The Best U.S. Cities for Single-Parent Homeownership by Category

When examining specific ranking factors, Pittsburgh, PA distinguishes itself as the city with the highest single-parent homeownership rate in the study, with nearly 59% of single parents owning their homes. Furthermore, Pittsburgh provides the most affordable housing for single parents, featuring the lowest home price-to-income ratio at 4.68. This affordability is evident in the city’s average home value of $217,285 compared to a median single-parent income of $46,387.

Among other categories, Providence, RI excels in access to FHA loans, with Rhode Island leading the nation in HUD loans for FHA purchases at 28.91 loans per 10K residents. Oklahoma City, OK stands out for its overall cost of living, which is 16% below the national average, making it the most affordable city in the study. In terms of school ratings, Raleigh, NC takes the top spot, being the only city among the 50 analyzed to receive an A+ public school rating.

Full Data

Interested in diving deeper into the numbers for the top U.S. housing markets for single parents? We’ve compiled our full data study for all 50 U.S. cities into the interactive data table below. Search for the city you call home or click on the heading of each column to sort by that category!

Closing Thoughts

It’s clear that the challenges and opportunities for single parents in the U.S. housing market vary widely. Cities like Birmingham, Salt Lake City, and New Orleans offer significant advantages in terms of home affordability, access to FHA loans, and lower childcare costs, making them ideal for single parents seeking stability and support. On the other hand, high-cost areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. present formidable obstacles due to steep housing prices and exorbitant living expenses. By highlighting these disparities, the study underscores the importance of considering local economic factors when single parents make decisions about where to live, ultimately guiding them toward communities where they can thrive.

United Way of the National Capital Area is committed to providing single parents and all local residents with economic opportunities. Through our Financial Empowerment Centers, we work to remove barriers to stable and affordable housing, helping individuals take control of their finances. From tax assistance in D.C. to opening bank accounts, we’re here for our community. Stay informed about all of UWNCA’s economic opportunity programs.

Methodology

In order to identify the best U.S. housing markets for single parents, we started with a list of the 50 most populous cities. We then identified 10 key ranking factors that are important for single parents considering purchasing a home. We assigned cities with a score of 0 to 5 for each factor, with a score of 5 representing the most favorable conditions for single parents. We determined each city’s total score from the total of its individual factor scores, which were weighted according to their impact on single-parent homeowners. Individual factor scores were then added together to give each city a final score from 0 to 50. Higher scores indicate cities that are better housing markets for single parents.

The 10 ranking factors are listed below with their respective weights and source data:

Percentage of Single Parents That Are Homeowners

Weight: 1.5

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Home Price-to-Income Ratio (For Single Parents)

Weight: 1.5

Sources: Zillow (Average Home Value); U.S. Census Bureau (Median Single-Parent Income)

Number of HUD Loans (FHA Purchases) per 10K Residents

Weight: 1.5

Source: U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

Annual Daycare Costs (For 1 Child)

Weight: 1.0