Raising kids is one of life's most rewarding journeys. And if you live in Austin, you're off to a great start, as we've been named the best city for young families.

Personal finance website ValuePenguin determined the family-friendly spots by analyzing 16 key metrics that fit into five categories. Of the 156 cities studied, Austin ranks No. 1.

Austin ranks No. 3 for education/environment, our highest individual score. Contributing factors include a high percentage of kids in the population and high state university rankings.

For working parents, Austin ranks 10th, thanks to a thriving economy and low divorce rates. We rank No. 17 for outdoor activities, as the mild weather and proximity of sports stadiums encourage kids to get outside.

There's no doubt that Austin is a desirable place to live, but we lose major points on affordability. Unsurprisingly, we rank No. 103 in the real estate category because of high cost of living, the income we spend on rent and mortgage payments, and real estate taxes.

Our lowest mark, however, is in the safety and healthcare category. Our No. 121 ranking is due to higher crime rates and lower hospital ratings.

Austin's not the only Texas hot spot for young families. Houston ranks No. 2, followed by Dallas at No. 5 and San Antonio at No. 14.