“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” – Pope John XXIII.
This timeless sentiment resonates deeply across America, yet the realities of raising a family differ vastly from state to state.
A family celebrating Iowa’s low median home price of $232,100 might face a very different reality in California, where the median home price soars to $852,800. This difference highlights the need to look beyond simple comparisons and understand what makes a state family-friendly.
Simply chasing the lowest cost of living can be misleading. What good is affordable housing if a state grapples with a high child mortality rate like Mississippi’s 9.39 deaths per 1,000 live births? Conversely, what value does a high average income hold if families struggle to access quality, affordable childcare, as seen in Massachusetts, where annual costs average $16,781?
This report goes beyond superficial metrics, delving into what makes a state truly family-friendly. We ranked all 50 states on 16 criteria in 4 categories: health & safety, education & childcare, affordability, and socioeconomic to find the best and worst for raising a family.
Our analysis empowers you to make informed decisions about your family’s future. Discover which states provide the best environment for your family to thrive!
Key Findings
- Massachusetts ranks first as the best state to raise a family, boasting a score of 77.14. Vermont secures a close second with 76.54, while North Dakota claims the third spot, achieving a score of 75.75.
- Nevada ranks last with a score of 49.57, indicating considerable challenges for families. Louisiana follows with a concerning 52.37, and Mississippi trails closely behind at 52.59, highlighting the difficulties families face in these states.
- Vermont excels in health & safety and socioeconomic, Utah takes the lead in Education & Childcare, North Dakota leads in Affordability,
- Arkansas struggles with health & safety, West Virginia falls short in Education & Childcare, Hawaii grapples with Affordability, and Louisiana lags in Socioeconomic.
Interactive Map of Family-Friendly State Rankings
State Rankings Table: Best States to Raise a Family
Health & Safety: Top 5 vs Bottom 5 States
- Vermont leads with a score of 85.00. It boasts 99.2 certified pediatricians per 100,000 children and a low infant mortality rate of 3.16 deaths per 1,000 live births, signifying its commitment to robust healthcare and positive health outcomes.
- Arkansas trails at the bottom with a score of 40.00, largely due to a higher infant mortality rate of 8.59 deaths per 1,000 live births and a 5.9% rate of children lacking health insurance, highlighting challenges in healthcare access and affordability.
Education & Child Care: Top 5 vs Bottom 5 States
- Utah leads with a perfect score of 85.00, driven by a high concentration of households with children of 38%) and strong educational attainment, with 93.17% of adults holding a high school diploma or higher and 36.81% possessing a bachelor's degree or higher.
- West Virginia trails at the bottom with a score of 40.00, largely due to a lower percentage of households with children 25.8% and lower educational attainment rates of 88.82% with a high school diploma or higher and only 24.12% with a bachelor's degree or higher.
Affordability: Top 5 vs Bottom 5 States
- North Dakota leads with a perfect score of 85.00, boasting a winning combination of a $257,599 median home price, a low 17.2% rent-to-income ratio, and a $5,014 average monthly wage; North Dakota reigns supreme in affordability.
- Hawaii ranks last in affordability with a score of 40.00. Its median home price is $784,900, and the rent-to-income ratio is 35.42%, making it exceptionally challenging for families with an average monthly wage of $5,118.
Socioeconomic: Top 5 vs Bottom 5 States
- Vermont ranks first with an impressive score of 85.00, likely driven by its low 2.1% unemployment rate and a respectable average credit score of 737. These factors and its strong performance in other categories suggest a thriving economy and a stable environment conducive to raising a family.
- Louisiana ranks last with a concerning score of 40.00, likely due to a combination of challenges reflected in its 4.3% unemployment rate and lower average credit score of 690, which indicates potential struggles with job security and financial stability.
10 Best States to Raise a Family
1. Massachusetts
Massachusetts tops the rankings as the best state to raise a family, with an impressive score of 77.14. The state excels in several key areas, making it ideal for families.
- Health & Safety: With a score of 82.27, Massachusetts prioritizes the health of its youngest residents. Only 1.5% of children lack health insurance, and the state boasts a robust network of 117.5 certified pediatricians per 100,000 children. The low infant mortality rate of 3.23 per 1,000 live births demonstrates this commitment to early life well-being.
- Education & Child Care: Massachusetts scores 77.59 for its exceptional education system. The state is home to some of the nation's best public schools and offers extensive child care support programs, a boon for working parents.
- Affordability: Despite higher living costs, Massachusetts maintains a strong affordability score of 72.77. The median home price is $622,639, and the average monthly wage is $7,478, allowing families to manage expenses and enjoy a high quality of life.
- Socioeconomics: Massachusetts thrives in this category, earning a score of 75.93 due to its low unemployment rate of 2.9% and a high average credit score of 732.
Massachusetts sets a high bar for family-friendly living, making it a highly desirable location for families seeking a well-rounded and enriching environment.
2. Vermont
Vermont secures a strong second place with a score of 76.54 out of 100, highlighting its dedication to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for families.
- Health & Safety: Vermont shines in this category, achieving an impressive score of 85.00. The state boasts a low rate of children without health insurance of 2.6% and a high concentration of certified pediatricians, with 99.2 per 100,000 children. Vermont's commitment to community health programs and relatively low crime rates further contribute to its high score.
- Education & Child Care: Vermont earns a score of 65.73 for its education and childcare offerings. The state is known for its focus on small class sizes and personalized learning environments, fostering a supportive atmosphere for young learners.
- Affordability: With a score of 70.45, Vermont demonstrates a commitment to affordability. While not the cheapest state, its median home price of $427,700 and an average monthly wage of $4,962 make it accessible for many families seeking a high quality of life.
- Socioeconomics: Vermont excels in this category, scoring a near-perfect 85.00. This achievement is driven by a low unemployment rate of 2.1% and an average credit score of 737, which indicates a thriving economy and financially stable population.
Vermont's emphasis on sustainability, community support, and overall quality of life, combined with its strong performance across all categories, makes it an exceptional choice for families.
3. North Dakota
North Dakota secures a well-deserved third place with a final score of 75.75, making it a standout choice for families seeking a balance of affordability, opportunity, and a strong sense of community.
- Health & Safety: With a solid score of 68.89, North Dakota demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of its residents. This is reflected in its robust healthcare system and relatively low violent crime rate of 279.6 per 100,000 people.
- Education & Child Care: North Dakota earns a score of 65.77 for its investments in education. The state is actively bolstering its early childhood programs and public schools, paving the way for a brighter future for its youngest generation.
- Affordability: North Dakota shines in affordability with a top-ranking score of 85.00. Families are drawn to its low housing costs, reflected in a median home price of $257,599 and a healthy average monthly wage of $5,014, making it possible to achieve financial stability and a comfortable lifestyle.
- Socioeconomics: North Dakota also excels in this category, earning 83.34. Its low unemployment rate of 2.0% and average credit score of 733 points to a thriving economy and a financially secure population.
North Dakota's unique combination of affordability, economic opportunity, safe communities, and a focus on education makes it an increasingly popular choice for families seeking a well-rounded and supportive environment to call home.
4. Minnesota
Minnesota takes the fourth spot with a stellar score of 75.29, solidifying its reputation as a fantastic place to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: Minnesota excels in this category, scoring 72.24. It offers comprehensive healthcare services and a low maternal mortality rate of 12.6 per 100,000 live births. This robust healthcare system ensures a healthy environment for families.
- Education & Child Care: Minnesota scores 67.10 in education and child care, supported by high-quality public schools and accessible child care services.
- Affordability: Affordability is another strong point, scoring 78.32, with a median home price of $357,700 and an average monthly wage of $5,807.
- Socioeconomics: The state's socioeconomic conditions are impressive, scoring 83.48, with an unemployment rate of 2.7% and an average credit score of 742.
Minnesota’s vibrant cities, cultural richness, and balanced cost of living create a supportive and enriching environment for raising children.
5. New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s final score of 74.25 places it 5th, making it a top state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: New Hampshire excels with a health and safety score of 79.58, including a low violent crime rate of 125.6 per 100,000 people and a low maternal mortality rate of 14.5 per 100,000 live births.
- Education & Child Care: The state scores 67.29 in education and child care, with high-performing schools and accessible child care programs.
- Affordability: Affordability is reasonable at 69.53, with a median home price of $483,500 and an average monthly wage of $6,014.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions are strong, scoring 80.62, with a low unemployment rate of 2.6% and a high average credit score of 736.
New Hampshire’s scenic beauty, strong community bonds, and emphasis on quality public services make it ideal for families.
6. South Dakota
South Dakota’s final score of 72.07 places it sixth, making it one of the best states for raising a family.
- Health & Safety: The state scores 58.13 in health and safety, reflecting steady investments in public health and safety measures.
- Education & Child Care: Education and child care score 66.89, supported by affordable and accessible education services.
- Affordability: The affordability score is 79.32, with a median home price of $316,900 and an average monthly wage of $4,503.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions are strong, scoring 83.95, with a low unemployment rate of 2.0% and an average credit score of 734.
South Dakota’s agricultural roots, economic stability, and community-focused living provide a supportive environment for families.
7. Iowa
Iowa’s final score of 71.95 places it 7th, making it a great state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: The state scores 66.26 in health and safety, supported by reliable healthcare services and a low crime rate of 286.5 reported violent crimes per 100,000.
- Education & Child Care: Iowa scores 61.20 in education and child care, with significant investments in early childhood and K-12 education.
- Affordability: Affordability scores 83.57, with a median home price of $232,100 and an average monthly wage of $4,776.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions are solid, scoring 75.48, with a low unemployment rate of 2.8% and an average credit score of 730.
Iowa’s rural charm, supportive communities, and balanced cost of living create a nurturing environment for raising children.
8. Maine
Maine’s final score of 71.38 places it 8th, making it a top state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: The state scores 77.80 in health and safety, driven by a low rate of 4.6% of children without health insurance and a good number of certified pediatricians, 80.6 per 100,000 children.
- Education & Child Care: Education and child care score 62.02, focusing on accessible and affordable services.
- Affordability: Maine's affordability score is 71.88. The median home price is $389,900, and the average monthly wage is $4,841.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions are solid, scoring 73.82, with an unemployment rate of 3.1% and an average credit score 731.
Maine’s beautiful coastal landscapes, strong community bonds, and focus on quality public services create a supportive family environment.
9. Utah
Utah ranks ninth with a final score of 71.31, making it an excellent state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: Utah scores 66.01 in health and safety, with reliable healthcare services and low crime rates.
- Education & Child Care: The state excels in education and child care with a score of 85.00, supported by a strong emphasis on family values and community support.
- Affordability: Affordability scores 58.14, with a median home price of $562,200 and an average monthly wage of $5,092.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions are strong, with a score of 76.09, low unemployment of 2.8%, and a high average credit score of 731.
Utah’s commitment to family-friendly policies, economic stability, and strong community networks make it an ideal environment for raising children.
10. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania secures its spot in the top 10 with a strong overall score of 71.26, making it a great state for families.
- Health & Safety: The state scores 65.77 in health and safety, supported by accessible healthcare and low crime rates.
- Education & Child Care: Pennsylvania earns a solid 70.88 in education and childcare, reflecting quality schools and accessible childcare options.
- Affordability: Affordability is notable, with a score of 81.68. Families benefit from a median home price of $285,700 and an average monthly wage of $5,603.
- Socioeconomics: The state's stable economy, with an unemployment rate of just 3.4% and an average credit score of 723, reflected in its socioeconomics score of 66.72, provides a secure backdrop for families to thrive.
Pennsylvania’s rich history, cultural diversity, and excellent public services create fertile ground for raising well-rounded children.
10 Worst States to Raise a Family
1. Nevada
Nevada ranks last, 50th, with a final score of 49.57, making it the worst state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: The state's health and safety landscape raises significant concerns, evidenced by its score of 53.49. Limited access to quality healthcare, reflected in a 7.6% rate of uninsured children and a high violent crime rate of 454 incidents per 100,000 people, contributes to a less-than-ideal environment for families seeking security and well-being.
- Education & Child Care: A score of only 43.10 indicates a significant need for improvement in education and child care.
- Affordability: The affordability score is 60.50, with a median home price of $451,400 and an average monthly wage of $5,161. While housing is relatively more affordable than in other states, living costs remain high, straining family budgets.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions score 41.19, with an unemployment rate of 5.1% and an average credit score of 702, highlighting economic challenges.
Nevada's high crime rates and a lower emphasis on public health infrastructure make it less ideal for raising children.
2. Louisiana
Louisiana’s final score of 52.37 places it 49th, making it the second-worst state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: The state scores 48.59, driven by a high rate of children without health insurance of 3.5 percent and a high maternal mortality rate of 39.1 per 100,000 live births. These health metrics highlight significant challenges in accessing adequate healthcare services and ensuring family safety.
- Education & Child Care: Education and child care in Louisiana score 42.73, reflecting considerable deficiencies in educational quality and early childhood program access.
- Affordability: Affordability is a relative strength for the state, scoring 78.15, with a median home price of $254,200, making housing relatively affordable.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions score a low 40.00, influenced by high unemployment rates at 4.3%. Many residents face financial struggles, as reflected in a low average credit score 690.
This combination of poor health, education outcomes, and economic challenges makes Louisiana a tough environment for raising a family.
3. Mississippi
Mississippi’s final score of 52.59 is 48th, making it the third-worst state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: The state’s health and safety score of 44.24 is driven by the high rate of children without health insurance at 5.5% and high infant mortality rates at 9.39 deaths per 100,000 live births.
- Education & Child Care: The education and child care score of 46.20 indicates significant areas for improvement in K-12 education and early childhood services, compounded by low graduation rates.
- Affordability: Affordability is a relative strength, scoring 74.62, with a median home price of $238,600 and an average monthly wage of $3,949.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions score 45.30, with an unemployment rate of 6.1% and a low average credit score of 680.
Mississippi's high poverty rates and limited educational funding further contribute to its low ranking, making it less favorable for families seeking stability and quality services.
4. California
California ranks 47th, placing it fourth among the worst states to raise a family, with a final score of 53.87.
- Health & Safety: The state scores decently in health and safety with a score of 65.37, benefiting from a low maternal mortality rate of 10.1 per 100,000 live births and a comparatively low infant death rate of 4.07 per 1,000 live births.
- Education & Child Care: However, it faces significant challenges in education and child care, scoring 43.54, with disparities in educational quality and a high annual child care cost of $12,168.
- Affordability: Affordability is a major issue, scoring 54.80, with high housing costs and a median home price of $852,800 despite an average monthly wage of $7,032.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions score 51.75, with an unemployment rate of 5.3% and an average credit score of 722.
The high cost of living, economic inequality, and strained public services make California a challenging environment for many families despite its monetary opportunities.
5. Arkansas
Arkansas ranks 46th, making it the fifth worst state to raise a family, with a final score of 55.10.
- Health & Safety: The state faces significant challenges in health and safety, scoring 40.00. It has a high rate of children without health insurance at 5.9% and a high number of deaths at 8.59 per 1,000 live births.
- Education & Child Care: Education and child care score 49.41, indicating areas for improvement in educational quality and accessibility of child care programs. Arkansas has lower educational attainment levels and struggles with funding for public schools.
- Affordability: Affordability is a strong point, with a score of 80.58. Arkansas features a median home price of $256,600 and an average monthly wage of $4,499, making it more financially accessible for families.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions score 50.43, reflecting an unemployment rate of 3.4% and an average credit score of 696.
Despite economic affordability, Arkansas's low investment in public health and education infrastructure poses significant challenges for families, impacting long-term family stability and health.
6. New Mexico
New Mexico’s final score of 55.80 places it 45th, making it the sixth-worst state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: The state scores 55.74 in health and safety, driven by high rates of children without health insurance at 3.8% and a high maternal mortality rate at 30.2 per 100,000 live births.
- Education & Child Care: Education and child care score 42.47, reflecting significant challenges in educational quality and access to early childhood programs.
- Affordability: Affordability is relatively good, scoring 73.98, with a median home price of $353,000 and an average monthly wage of $4,603.
- Socioeconomics: The socioeconomic conditions score is 51.02, with a high unemployment rate of 3.8% and a low average credit score of 702.
High rates of child poverty and underfunded schools highlight areas where New Mexico needs significant improvements to become more family-friendly.
7. Texas
Texas ranks 44th with a final score of 56.04, making it the seventh worst state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: The state scores 50.77 in health and safety, with a high rate of 10% of children without health insurance.
- Education & Child Care: Education and child care score 50.89, indicating significant areas for development. Texas faces high rates of uninsured children, educational disparities, and variable quality in school districts.
- Affordability: Affordability is a strong point with a score of 77.20, supported by a median home price of $352,400 and an average monthly wage of $5,798, making it financially accessible for many families.
- Socioeconomics: Socioeconomic conditions score 45.29, reflecting a higher unemployment rate of 4% and an average credit score 695.
Despite the affordable cost of living, economic inequality and limited access to quality healthcare and education present challenges for families.
8. South Carolina
South Carolina’s final score of 56.31 is 43rd, making it the eighth-worst state to raise a family.
- Health & Safety: The state scores 53.73 in health and safety, driven by high rates of children without health insurance at 4.7% and high crime rates of 491.3 reported violent crimes per 100,000.
- Education & Child Care: The education and child care score is 50.76, indicating significant areas for improvement in the education system and early childhood programs.
- Affordability: The affordability score is 67.01, with a median home price of $385,700 and an average monthly wage of $4,624.
- Socioeconomics: The socioeconomic conditions score is 53.75, with an unemployment rate of 3.2% and a low average credit score of 699.
South Carolina’s lower investment in public health and education infrastructure impacts its ranking, making it less favorable for families seeking stability and quality services.
9. Arizona
Arizona ranks 42nd and ninth among the worst states to raise a family, with a final score of 56.74.
- Health & Safety: The health and safety score is 53.23, with challenges in healthcare access, a high crime rate of 431.5 reported violent crime per 100,000, and public safety issues.
- Education & Child Care: Education and child care score 51.95, highlighting areas for improvement in the education system, including teacher retention and school funding.
- Affordability: Affordability is a moderate strength at 62.60, with a median home price of $455,000 and an average monthly wage of $5,391, balancing cost and income.
- Socioeconomics: The socioeconomic conditions score is 59.17, with an unemployment rate of 3.6% and an average credit score of 713.
Despite a growing economy, Arizona's lower ranking is due to the high cost of living and disparities in healthcare and education access.
10. Alabama
Alabama ranks 41st, making it the tenth worst state to raise a family, with a score of 57.02.
- Health & Safety: The state faces significant challenges in health and safety, scoring 51.45. Critical issues include a high infant mortality rate of 7.56 deaths per 1,000 live births and a maternal mortality rate of 41.4 per 100,000 live births.
- Education & Child Care: Education and child care score 46.81, reflecting high dropout rates and underfunded schools, severely impacting overall education quality.
- Affordability: Despite these struggles, Alabama's affordability score of 79.54 is a notable strength. The median home price of $278,000 and an average monthly wage of $4,772 make it financially accessible for families.
- Socioeconomics: The socioeconomic conditions score is 50.28, reflecting a moderate unemployment rate of 3.1% and an average credit score of 692.
While the state offers a lower cost of living, significant healthcare and education quality gaps impact its overall desirability for families.
Methodology
This report aims to comprehensively assess which U.S. states provide the most favorable environments for raising a family. We understand this is a multifaceted question with no easy answers. Therefore, our methodology relies on a data-driven approach, evaluating each state across various factors crucial for family well-being.
- Identifying Key Indicators:
We identified 16 key indicators across four core categories:
- Health & Safety: This category focuses on factors influencing the physical well-being of children and families.
- Rate of children without health insurance in the U.S. in 2022 (Weight: -0.15)
- Certified Pediatricians per 100,000 children (Weight: 0.15)
- Death per 1,000 births (Infant Mortality Rate) (Weight: -0.2)
- Maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births (Weight: -0.2)
- PM2.5 Annual Average Concentration, 2017-2021 (Weight: -0.15)
- Reported violent crime rate per 100,000 people (Weight: -0.15)
- Education & Child Care: This category assesses the availability and quality of educational resources and childcare options.
- Households with one or more people under 18 years old (Weight: 0.25)
- Annual Child Care Cost per Child (Weight: -0.15)
- Percentage of adults aged 25+ with a High School Diploma or higher (Weight: 0.35)
- Percentage of adults aged 25+ with a Bachelor's Degree or higher (Weight: 0.25)
- Affordability: This category examines the cost of living, impacting families' financial well-being.
- Average Monthly Wage, 2022 (Weight: 0.15)
- Rent-to-Income Ratio, 2022 (Weight: -0.35)
- Median Home Price (Weight: -0.35)
- Average Debt-to-Income Ratio Q3 2023 (Weight: -0.15)
- Socioeconomic: This category considers broader economic factors contributing to a stable and thriving community.
- Unemployment Rate (Percentage of Labor Force, April 2024) (Weight: -0.4)
- Average Credit Score (FICO) in 2023 (Weight: 0.6)
- Data Acquisition and Sources:
Data for each indicator was compiled from reputable sources, including:
- Statista
- The American Board of Pediatrics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- United States Census Bureau
- World Population Review
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- The Mortgage Reports
- Redfin
- Zillow
- Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
- Business Insider
- Data Normalization:
Data points were normalized to a scale of 40 to 100 for fair comparisons.
- Weighting and Scoring:
Indicators were weighted based on their importance to family well-being.
- Calculating Final Scores:
Category scores were calculated and normalized to a final score of 40 to 85.
- Ranking:
States were ranked by their final scores, from most to least favorable.
Transparency and Limitations:
This methodology involves subjective assessments and may not cover all relevant factors. It serves as a starting point, encouraging further research into specific state aspects important to individual families.
