These states rank as the best to raise a family in 2026, data suggests

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(Photo by Dominic Chavez/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Some states make it far easier to raise a family than others, with the top-ranked states offering a mix of affordability, safety, strong job markets, and access to quality schools and healthcare. 

To determine which states are most family-friendly, WalletHub analyzed all 50 states across 50 metrics, including median family income, housing affordability, healthcare quality, crime rates, and school performance.

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Methodology:

To identify the best states for raising a family, WalletHub compared all 50 states across five broad categories: family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability, and socioeconomics. 

Those categories were measured using 50 weighted indicators, each scored on a 100-point scale, with higher scores reflecting more favorable conditions for families. 

The weighted results were then combined to produce an overall score for each state and determine the final rankings.

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What they're saying:

"Raising a family has become significantly more expensive in recent years as the cost of living has risen quickly," WalletHub Analyst Chip Lupo said in an online statement. "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." 

Dig deeper:

Massachusetts

Massachusetts ranked as the best state to raise a family, buoyed by strong job security, low poverty rates, and high household incomes. 

While housing and child care costs are higher than average, the state scores highly on health and safety, with low infant mortality, high life expectancy, and low crime. Massachusetts also leads the nation in public education, reinforcing its top overall ranking.

Minnesota

Minnesota placed second, driven by high median family income, low poverty, and a relatively narrow wealth gap. 

The state also performs well on health measures, including life expectancy and hospital quality, and offers widespread access to parks and playgrounds for children. Minnesota additionally ranks among the states with the lowest separation and divorce rates.

North Dakota

North Dakota ranked third, standing out for affordability, particularly in housing, with the nation’s lowest rent burden for families. 

The state also benefits from low unemployment and poverty rates, along with one of the lowest separation and divorce rates in the country. Strong access to child care and solid school safety scores further contributed to its high ranking.