10 Best States To Raise a Family.
There are many important factors to consider before settling down and raising a family.
A new report by WalletHub ranked the best states for raising a family based on 50 metrics across five categories: family fun, health and safety, education and childcare, affordability, and socioeconomics.
WalletHub ranked all 50 states according to factors such as infant mortality rates, housing affordability, and public school quality.
The following are the 10 best states for raising a family.
10. Vermont
In addition to its health-and-safety ranking, Vermont had the second-lowest infant mortality rate. It also ranked 46th in family fun, 14th in education and childcare, 27th in affordability, and third in socioeconomic status.
9. Rhode Island
Among the 50 states, Rhode Island ranked sixth in health and safety, fifth in affordability, 19th in education and childcare, and 27th in family fun.
8. South Dakota
Based on WalletHub’s analysis, South Dakota had the lowest childcare costs. It ranked ninth in health and safety as well as affordability, and second in socioeconomics. It ranked 29th in family fun and 33rd in affordability.
7. New Hampshire
According to the study, New Hampshire had the lowest rate of poverty and the second-fewest violent crimes per capita, which helped it rank second in health and safety and ninth in socioeconomics. In terms of education and childcare, it ranked eighth, 23rd, and 39th in affordability.
6. Maine
According to WalletHub’s health-and-safety ranking, Maine has the fewest violent crimes per capita.
The state ranked fourth in education and childcare, sixth in socioeconomics, and 22nd in affordability, but 45th in family fun, with the fourth-lowest share of families with young children.
5. New York
The metropolis, which ranked 48th in socioeconomics, ranked second-to-last in affordable housing and had the highest childcare costs, but still ranked seventh in affordability. In terms of health-and-safety, education-and-childcare, and family fun, it ranked 20th.
4. Nebraska
The state had the second-most affordable housing, offset by the fifth-highest childcare costs. It also had the fifth-lowest divorce rate and fourth-highest number of families with young children.
Nebraska ranked fifth in both socioeconomics and education and childcare, 12th in health and safety, 20th in family fun, and 24th in affordability.
3. Minnesota
In terms of affordability for families overall, Minnesota had the second-lowest percentage of families in poverty and the second-highest median family income. Based on socioeconomics, health and safety, family fun, and education and childcare, it ranked tenth.
2. North Dakota
As a result of its second-lowest divorce rate, lowest infant mortality rate, and third-most affordable housing, North Dakota achieved No. 1 in socioeconomics and No. 2 in education and childcare. In addition, it ranked seventh in health and safety, 18th in affordability, and 32nd in family fun.
1. Massachusetts
Massachusetts was named the best state to raise a family by WalletHub because of its low unemployment rate, good school systems, and safety for children.
The state ranked first in education and childcare, third in affordability, fifth in health and safety, ninth in family fun, and 21st in socioeconomics.
