Best & Worst States to Raise a Family (2026)
By Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial Writer
Some states provide a more supportive environment for raising a family than others. The best states combine affordability with safety, strong job opportunities, and access to quality education, healthcare, and entertainment.
To identify which states offer the most family-friendly conditions, WalletHub evaluated all 50 states using 50 key indicators. Our data set includes factors such as median annual family income, housing affordability, healthcare quality, crime rates, and school performance.
“Raising a family has become significantly more expensive in recent years as the cost of living has risen quickly. In fact, it can cost a family as much as $320,000 to raise a child to age 18, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In light of the expensive nature of being a parent and the responsibility it entails, it’s important to live in a city that is affordable while still providing quality health care, education, safety and opportunities for enrichment.” – Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
In-Depth Look at the Best States for Families
Massachusetts
Massachusetts is the best state to raise a family, in large part because it provides a good blend of economic opportunities and safe conditions for children. The Bay State has the third-best job security in the country and the ninth-lowest poverty rate, which increases the likelihood that parents will be able to provide for their children. It’s not the cheapest state, as housing and child care costs are relatively high compared to most of the nation, but residents make up for this with fairly high incomes.
When it comes to health and overall wellbeing, Massachusetts has the fifth-best water quality in the country, the highest rate of children with health insurance, and the third-lowest infant mortality rate. It also has the second-highest overall life expectancy and fourth-lowest property crime rate.
Education is also one of the most important factors when raising a family. Massachusetts isn’t just famous for universities like Harvard and MIT – it also ranks first among the states with the best public school systems for children.
Read the full list here.
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