A new study has found where in the United States parents should flock to in order to raise a family, with two cities in California locking up two of the top five spots. 

More than 180 US cities were compared against one another based on 45 key metrics that consider essential family dynamics, including the cost of housing, the quality of local school and health-care systems, and opportunities for fun and recreation, according to Wallet Hub. 

In the lead at number one is Fremont, CA, followed by Overland Park, KS, in second, Irvine, CA, in third, Planto, TX, in fourth, and Seattle, WA, rounding out the top five.

"Finding the best place to raise a family is difficult, between balancing an affordable cost of living with good educational opportunities, safety, and enough recreation to keep kids entertained," Cassandra Happe, an analyst for WalletHub, said. 

On top of all of these factors, people also often want to raise their children close to their extended family.

Therefore, current or prospective parents can benefit from narrowing down their choices to a few of the best cities that are within a reasonable drive of their family."

The average American can expect to move an estimated 12 times in a lifetime, and roughly 25.6 million Americans, or 7.8% of the population, moved in 2023 .