where does malcolm in the middle take place

The TV show "Malcolm in the Middle" is deliberately vague about its exact setting and is not set in any specific state. Various clues in the show suggest different locations, but none are definitive. The filming locations and in-show hints mostly point to a setting in the Western United States, with parts filmed around Los Angeles, California, and nearby areas. The family home, school, and other locations were filmed in Southern California, specifically in Studio City and North Hollywood. Some aspects of the show hint at places like Texas or near Oklahoma and New Mexico, but these are more speculative. In short, the show takes place in a fictional suburban neighborhood in a vague "Anywhere, USA" style, with filming done in Southern California, but the canonical setting is never explicitly stated.