Raising a child now costs families an average of $21,681 annually, up 19% since 2016, with total 18-year expenses approaching $389,000. As these figures outpace wage growth, parents weigh tough choices on location, pitting financial ease against child safety and development in ConsumerAffairs’ 2025 ranking of all 50 states for affordability, safety, education, healthcare, and quality of life.
Northeast States Dominate Family Rankings
Seven of the top 10 states hail from the Northeast and New England, serving about 22 million families with low crime, superior schools, and reliable services. These areas lead in long-term child outcomes but lag sharply in affordability, where housing and childcare exceed national norms. The rankings reveal families often favor enduring security and learning opportunities over immediate budget relief.
New Hampshire leads with a 68.98 score, ranking first in safety and quality of life but 34th in affordability. A typical family there earning $100,000 faces a $2,000 yearly shortfall against $129,768 in needs, compounding to $536,000 over 18 years. Maine follows at second with the lowest violent crime and child poverty rates, though affordability ranks 35th. Massachusetts, at ninth, tops healthcare with 221 pediatricians per 100,000 children, superior preventive care adherence, and the third-lowest infant mortality rate. It ranks third in education and keeps property crime low at 11 incidents per 1,000 residents.
Vermont, fourth overall, excels with just 2.6% uninsured children and a 20.7% missed preventive care rate, plus top library and parks access. Connecticut jumped to sixth via education and health upgrades, with only 23.1% missing checkups. New York, fifth, leverages vast hospitals and early programs across diverse regions. Wisconsin, third overall, blends low food costs at $352 weekly, 7% child poverty, and solid schools without coastal premiums.
Regional Diversity and Standout Performers
Pennsylvania secures 10th place with robust child health metrics, including 147.4 pediatricians per 100,000 children and the nation’s sixth-lowest missed preventive care rate at 25.9%. Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration doubled maternal mortality prevention funds and widened telemedicine reach, enhancing access statewide. Mid-tier affordability and education scores are offset by these health gains, providing families reliable footing.
Virginia lands eighth through even performance in education, healthcare, and stability, paired with better mid-Atlantic affordability than New England peers. Its mix of suburban, rural, and urban settings allows customized living, bolstered by sustained investments in schools and safety. It serves as a viable option for families eyeing Northeast quality without the steepest costs.
Wyoming, the sole Western entry at seventh, features the second-lowest child poverty at 6%, 83% good-air days, and ample parks. Low crime and stronger affordability than coastal states highlight its draw for families valuing open spaces and security in less crowded terrain.
The Affordability Crisis in Top-Ranked States
This “safety premium” adds over $40,000 across 18 years in Northeast leaders compared to national averages, reflecting priorities on crime reduction, education, and health. Yet none rank top 30 in affordability, fostering “quality poverty” where families secure strong childhoods amid fiscal pressure. High living expenses deter some from states like Massachusetts and New Hampshire, yet those who stay access premier medical facilities, schools, and support networks.
The rankings weight affordability at 30 points, safety 25, education 20, healthcare 15, and quality of life 10, drawing from U.S. Census, CDC, Child Care Aware, EPA, and NeighborhoodScout data. Families weigh these against personal factors like kin proximity and jobs, using rankings as guides rather than mandates.
Regional Disparities and Emerging Policy Solutions
Lower rankings cluster in the West and South—Nevada, Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Texas, California—hampered by high costs, weaker schools, healthcare gaps, and safety shortfalls. New Mexico, despite bottom-10 status, launches universal free childcare November 1, 2025, potentially saving $12,000 yearly per child and reshaping future standings.
As costs rise and divides sharpen, these insights equip parents to match states to their means and aspirations, balancing immediate budgets with lasting child prospects.
Sources:
ConsumerAffairs. “Best States to Raise a Family.” October 2025.
Pennsylvania Governor’s Office. “Pennsylvania Named One of the Best States to Raise a Family in 2025.” December 2025.
Moishes Moving. “Best States to Raise a Family in the USA (2026).” 2026.
Laconia Daily Sun. “New Hampshire Is No. 1 State to Raise a Family in 2025.” 2025.
SeacoastOnline. “Why a Report Ranked New Hampshire the Best State to Raise a Family.” October 2025.
News4Jax. “Typical Florida Household Needs 17 Years to Save for a 10% Home Down Payment, Study Finds.” December 2025.