New Report: This Is the No. 1 State to Raise a Family In

As any parent will tell you, choosing where to live is a major family decision. We all want our kids to be happy and healthy along the way to adulthood—and the place where we put down roots can have a major impact on both of those things.

While you may choose a place to live because it’s close to family or your job, there are many factors beyond personal ties to consider. For example, are there other families with young kids in the area? Is it safe? Will you have to mortgage your house to afford child care? Can you even afford to buy a house in the first place? WalletHub asked all these questions and more in a new survey, which examined all 50 states and weighed various categories to determine the best state in which to raise your family.

Read on to find out which state ranked No. 1 for families … and which one came in dead last.

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How did the study determine the best state for families?

The team at WalletHub looked at five key factors for each state:

1. Family fun
2. Health and safety
3. Education and child care
4. Affordability
5. Socioeconomics

Within those categories, there were 50 metrics—like pediatricians per capita and water quality in the Health and Safety category and paid family leave in the Affordability segment—which WalletHub scored on a 100-point scale. The closer to 100 a state was, the higher its spot on the list.

What is the No. 1 state to raise a family in?

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Every state has its own perks and drawbacks, but when it comes to raising a family, one state is the clear winner: Massachusetts. The Bay State earned a 68.88 out of 100 in WalletHub’s ranking—a hefty lead of more than five points over the No. 2 state. (More below on which state earned that spot.)

This accolade isn’t too surprising, though—Massachusetts also ranked as the No. 1 state to live in overall, according to another WalletHub study, and the 10th happiest state in the nation.

Why did Massachusetts earn the top spot?

No, it’s not because this East Coast state is home to the Patriots and the Celtics (though sports fans may think differently). Massachusetts is the best place to raise a family for a number of very practical reasons, including its high percentage of well-paying jobs that make it easier for families to settle down there. Its strength in this category counters the fact that it’s not the cheapest place to live.

Overall, here are the three most important factors that make this state optimal for family life.

Job security

Massachusetts has the best job security in the nation, providing families with the financial stability they need to be able to withstand the state’s high cost of living. “Stable employment allows parents to afford housing, child care and other necessities without constant worry about income loss,” explains Chip Lupo, a writer and analyst for WalletHub. “It also fosters long-term economic planning, like saving for college or retirement, which can improve overall family well-being.”

Lupo adds that job security also reduces poverty rates and increases disposable income in the state overall, which benefits the local economies and their communities. In short, it’s a win-win for everyone!

Quality of public education

Worried about forking over a small fortune in tuition before the kids even contemplate college? Don’t be: Massachusetts has the best public school system in the nation. “This has a direct effect on families by helping reduce long-term financial stress,” Lupo says. First, parents won’t need to spend additional funds on private school tuition, and second, kids exit school more prepared for their futures.

“With high graduation rates and a focus on quality education, students are better positioned for success, meaning they’re more likely to graduate, attend college and secure higher-paying jobs down the road,” he adds.

High percentage of children with health insurance

Finally, Massachusetts has the highest rate of children with health insurance in the country, which is an essential part of preventing and treating illnesses early. “When children have insurance, they’re more likely to receive regular checkups, vaccinations and screenings that can catch health issues before they become serious problems,” Lupo says. “This proactive approach reduces long-term medical costs and supports better overall development, both physically and mentally.”

Healthy kids are also more likely to have better academic performance and better overall well-being, he adds.

What other states ranked high on the list?

Massachusetts isn’t the only great place to raise a family. Here are the other states that rounded out the top three.

Minnesota

With a score of 63.36, the North Star State earned the runner-up spot in WalletHub’s survey for a number of reasons—but most notably because it has the second-highest median family income (more than $104,000) and the second-lowest poverty rate for families. This means that many families in Minnesota enjoy financial stability, can more easily purchase the essentials (and then some) and have less stress. Minnesota also has the fifth-lowest separation and divorce rate in the country.

North Dakota

Coming in at No. 3, North Dakota earned a score of 61.87, with this state’s key strength centering around affordability. It has the nation’s most affordable two-bedroom rentals in relation to the state’s median income, along with the 13th-cheapest median home price.

Kids are also well cared for from birth, with the second-highest number of day-care centers per capita and the third-highest day-care quality in the nation. As kids get older, you won’t have to worry about the public versus private school debate since North Dakota has the 10th-best school system in the country.

How do the other states compare?

Here’s the complete 50-state ranking of places to raise a family, from best to worst:

1. Massachusetts

2. Minnesota

3. North Dakota

4. Nebraska

5. New Hampshire

6. New York

7. Illinois

8. Wisconsin

9. Maine

10. Connecticut

11. Colorado

12. Iowa

13. Washington

14. Vermont

15. South Dakota

16. Rhode Island

17. Pennsylvania

18. New Jersey

19. Maryland

20. Utah

21. Virginia

22. Oregon

23. Montana

24. Ohio

25. Hawaii

26. Wyoming

27. Missouri

28. California

29. Kansas

30. Texas

31. Tennessee

32. Kentucky

33. Florida

34. Idaho

35. Indiana

36. Delaware

37. North Carolina

38. Michigan

39. Alaska

40. Georgia

41. Arizona

42. South Carolina

43. Louisiana

44. Arkansas

45. Alabama

46. Oklahoma

47. Nevada

48. West Virginia

49. Mississippi

50. New Mexico

Why was New Mexico ranked as the worst place to raise a family?

Unfortunately, New Mexico ranked last on the WalletHub survey, with a score of just 32.40—that’s less than half of Massachusetts’s score. (Ouch!) The state ranked last in the Education and Child Care category, and it has the worst median family income rank. The so-called Land of Enchantment didn’t quite live up to its state nickname in other ways either: It also ranked third to last in both of the broader Health and Safety and Socioeconomics categories.

However, it’s not all bad news in New Mexico: The state boasts the most PhDs per capita than any other state.

Why trust us

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Sources:

• WalletHub: “Best & Worst States to Raise a Family (2025)”
• Chip Lupo, writer and analyst for WalletHub; interview, Jan. 24, 2025

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