WalletHub’s January report compared the 50 U.S. states to determine which is the best state to raise a family.
The report found that the best states combine affordability and safety, strong job opportunities, and access to quality education, health care, and entertainment.
To rank all 50 states, WalletHub evaluated states on five key dimensions:
Family Fun Health and Safety Education and Childcare Affordable Socio-Economy
WalletHub used 50 relevant metrics, each rated on a 100-point scale, including the percentage of families with young children, pediatricians per capita, public school quality, and housing affordability, to determine which states offer the most favorable conditions for family life.
The report found that as the cost of living continues to rise, it has become significantly more expensive to support a family. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raising a child to age 18 can cost a family as much as $320,000.
“Given the expensive nature of parenthood and the responsibilities that come with it, it’s important to live in cities that are affordable while offering quality health care, education, safety, and opportunities for enrichment,” WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said in the report.
Lupo also told CNBC Make It that the biggest takeaway from the report is that most of the top 10 states are in the Northeast and Midwest.
“Every state ranks pretty well in some of these socio-economic rankings. Yes, many of these states have a higher cost of living, but these states have higher average annual incomes, so that offsets itself,” Lupo added.
Massachusetts is the best state in the US to raise a family
According to a WalletHub report, Massachusetts is the best state to raise a family. New England scored a total of 67.60 points, taking the top spot for the fourth consecutive year. It also ranked first in the education and childcare sector.
According to the report, Massachusetts ranked No. 1 because of its balance of economic opportunity and a safe environment for children.
Massachusetts
Xbrchx | iStock | Getty Images
According to WalletHub, the Bay State has the third-highest job security and ninth-lowest poverty rate in the country.
“Massachusetts is stable. We have stable jobs, a great school system, and a good balance of economic opportunity,” Lupo said. “While taxes are high and child support is high, the average annual income in Massachusetts is very high and has been consistent for the past several years, so it makes up for it.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average annual salary in Massachusetts is $101,341.
The state has the highest rate of child health insurance coverage and the second-highest life expectancy, WalletHub reports.
Massachusetts is home to some of the best schools in the country, including Harvard University and MIT. Nitsch says the public school system is among the best in the world.
According to a 2025 SmartAsset study, child care costs in Massachusetts currently exceed $44,000 per year. Two working parents in the Bay State need to aim for a combined income of at least $124,842 to support themselves and a preschooler.
Top 10 Best States to Raise a Family in 2026
minnesota
Walter Bibikou Getty Images
Minnesota ranked as the second best state to raise a family with a score of 63.10. The North Star State has the second-highest median household income and the second-lowest household poverty rate.
Minnesota has the sixth-best public hospitals in the nation and the fifth-lowest separation and divorce rates in the nation.
“Except for the harsh winters, employment opportunities in Minnesota are strong. Median household income adjusted for cost of living is fairly high,” Lupo said. “We go above and beyond when it comes to health care. We have some world-class medical facilities in and around Minnesota, especially in the Minneapolis area.”
According to SmartAsset’s 2025 study, the annual cost of raising one infant in Minnesota in 2025 was $33,197.
According to SoFi, the average cost of living in Minnesota is $56,489 per year. According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center’s (MERIC) 2025 Cost of Living Index, Minnesota has the 18th lowest cost of living in the nation.
Want to use AI to advance your work? Sign up for CNBC’s new online course, Beyond the Basics: How to Use AI to Supercharge Your Work. Learn advanced AI skills like building custom GPTs and using AI agents to increase your productivity today.
