Raising a family in this day and age can be a challenge, but there are some places in the United States more equipped for family life than others for a variety of different reasons.
Personal finance company WalletHub recently conducted a study analyzing all 50 states across 50 critical factors to determine which are the best and worst places to raise a family. Some of the data points considered included median annual family income, housing affordability, healthcare quality, crime rates, and school performance.
It’s up to you to determine which of these indicators matter most to you and your family, but based off their numbers, WalletHub named Massachusetts the top state for a family in America.
The 5 best states to raise a family, per WalletHub
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Wisconsin
- Nebraska
Why Massachusetts?
With an overall score of 67.60, more than four points ahead of second-place finisher Minnesota, The Bay State is family-friendly, WalletHub says.
Massachusetts ranked No. 1 in education and childcare, third in affordability, third in health and safety and 10th in family fun. The Commonwealth also has the third-lowest infant mortality rate and ninth-lowest poverty rate in the country.
“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,” said WalletHub’s Adam McCann. “It also has the second-highest overall life expectancy and fourth-lowest property crime rate.”
Housing and childcare is not cheap in Massachusetts, but the state’s relatively high median family income can help offset costs.
“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,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.
To read the entire study, click here.
