the Best (and Worst) States to Raise a Family

Does part of your fresh start for the new year include a family move? If it does, you’d want to review the best – and worst – states to raise a family.

 

The personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2019’s Best & Worst States to Raise a Family.

 

To determine the best states in which to put down family roots, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 49 key indicators of family-friendliness. The data set ranges from median family salary to housing affordability to unemployment rate.

 

Before you finalize your family relocation plans, take a closer look at the listed states below.

 

Best States for Families			Worst States for Families
1	Minnesota		41	Georgia
2	Massachusetts		42	Oklahoma
3	North Dakota		43	South Carolina
4	Vermont		44	Arkansas
5	New Hampshire		45	Nevada
6	New York		46	Alabama
7	Wisconsin		47	West Virginia
8	New Jersey		48	Louisiana
9	Rhode Island		49	Mississippi
10	Nebraska		50	New Mexico

 

Insterested in how your state ( or a different state) ranked? Hover over your state on the interactive map below.

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Best vs. Worst

 

• Minnesota has the highest median family annual income (adjusted for cost of living), $82,951, which is 1.5 times higher than in New York, where it is lowest at $54,440.

 

• Utah has the lowest divorce rate, 15.88 percent, which is 1.6 times lower than in Nevada, where it is highest at 26.19 percent.

 

• New Hampshire has the lowest share of families living in poverty, 5.0 percent, which is 3.3 times lower than in Mississippi, where it is highest at 16.6 percent.

 

• Mississippi has the lowest average annual cost of early childcare (adjusted for median family income), 6.06 percent, which is 2.9 times lower than in Nebraska, where it is highest at 17.29 percent.

 

• Maine has the fewest violent crimes (per 1,000 residents), 1.21, which is 6.9 times fewer than in Alaska, the state with the most at 8.29.

 

One thing is certainly clear: whether you are planning a timely move or desire to remain where you are, havin knowledge about the the best and worst states can help you make an informed decision for yourself and your family.

 

What state(s) are you most surprised to see on the list? Share with me in the comments below. 

the Best (and Worst) States to Raise a Family