When it comes to being family friendly, Salt Lake City ranks among the top major cities in the nation — right alongside Detroit, Baltimore and San Francisco.

That's according to a new Forbes.com list of the best and worst cities for families.

The analysis of the 40 largest cities in America compared the median income there with a "no-frills budget" for a family of two parents and two children.

On average, Salt Lakers spend just 68 percent of their $64,400 median income on necessary expenses. Residents of Detroit, Baltimore and San Francisco also spend 68 percent of their incomes on family budgets, according to Forbes.

That leaves those cities with more spending cash than every other American city outside San Jose, Calif., which topped the list with a median income of $100,000.

At the other end of the list, New Yorkers, New Orleanians and Los Angelenos spend 90 percent or more of their income on necessary expenses, Forbes reports.

— Aaron Falk

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