How Does Your State Rank?
One of the greatest considerations when you’re planning to have a family is where to live. You want somewhere safe, and affordable, with a stellar education system, plenty of family-friendly activities, and accessible healthcare. Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down for you: here are some of the best and worst states to raise a family. 
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1. Massachusetts
Massachusetts has long been hailed as a family-friendly haven for its low crime rates, excellent health care, public schools, and proximity to nature. Its only downfall is the high cost of living, especially in the Boston area.
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2. Minnesota
Minnesota, known as the land of 10,000 lakes, is renowned for its natural beauty. Its low cost of living and high-quality education system make it a wonderful place to raise a family–if you can withstand the harsh winters!
3. New Hampshire
New Hampshire offers stunning scenery, a wealth of family-friendly activities, and top-notch schools, and is considered one of the safest states. However, it’s not super affordable and has a high property tax.
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4. Delaware
Although the cost of living in Delaware is slightly higher than the average, it’s much more affordable than neighboring New York or New Jersey and is still close to all the action in major cities like NYC, Baltimore, and D.C. It offers a terrific education system, breathtaking nature, and job opportunities, especially in the financial sector.
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5. Vermont
Vermont offers many family-friendly outdoor activities, strong communities, low crime rates, and outstanding schools. However, the cost of living is high and job opportunities in some areas are scarce.
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6. Nebraska
Nebraska rates high as a place to raise a family thanks to its low cost of living, great schools, economy, friendliness, and safety. But the lack of amenities means fewer family-friendly activities and the winters are severe.
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7. Iowa
Iowa is affordable, offers good schools, is safe, and has a good health care system. However, there’s not much to do there in terms of activities.
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8. Utah
Utah is known for its family-friendly values, superb education system, and low crime rates. Unfortunately, the secret is out: its population is growing fast, causing a rise in housing costs.
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9. Virginia
Virginia has a strong economy, great education, healthcare, history, and wonderful beaches making it a lovely place to raise a family. So much so that many Washington D.C. government employees live in Virginia, spiking the cost of living near the border.
10. Washington
Washington State, with its high quality of life, first-rate schools, healthy economy, accessible outdoors, and rich culture is a terrific place to raise a family. However, it rains a lot and is on the pricier side.
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We’ve talked about some of the best, now let’s talk about the worst to avoid.
1. Mississippi
Although Mississippi is affordable and offers tight-knit communities, it rates low as a place to raise a family due to its low-quality education, and healthcare, and high poverty.
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2. New Mexico
Its captivating landscapes and unique culture may have drawn the intrigue of artists like Georgia O'keefe and Ansel Adams; however, New Mexico is no place to raise a family thanks to its low-quality education system, high crime, and poverty.
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3. Louisiana
Louisiana is known for its rich culture and arts scene, especially in its biggest city, New Orleans known for its distinct cultural identity, blending African, American, and French heritage. However, the state is plagued by high crime, poverty, low-quality education, and healthcare.
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4. West Virginia
Nestled in the forested Appalachian Mountain Range is the beautiful state of West Virginia. Despite its spectacular natural setting, it isn’t highly recommended as a place to raise children due to its poor schools, healthcare, and high poverty rates.
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5. Alabama
Alabama is a hallmark of the deep south steeped in culture and history. It’s also a very affordable place to live, but its poor quality education, public services, and healthcare make it nonoptimal for families.
6. Arkansas
Arkansas’s bounty of parks and wilderness and low living costs might make it seem like a great place for families. However, this is another state where a poor economy, high crime rates, and lower-quality education have taken a toll.
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7. Oklahoma
Oklahoma boasts strong communities and affordability, but its struggling economy, harsh climate, and low-ranking education system might be enough to dissuade families from moving there.
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8. South Carolina
South Carolina’s charming towns and exquisite landscapes may attract tourists from all over the country, but its high crime rate, low-quality schools, and healthcare make it unattractive for families to settle there.
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9. Nevada
Nevada is unique for its classic western-style landscapes of striking red rocks and big blue skies, and let’s not forget the fabulous Las Vegas. However, it's not an ideal place to raise a family thanks to its high crime rate, cost of living near urban centers, and mediocre education system.
10. California
We’re not saying California isn’t utterly dreamy, full of lively beaches, incredible mountains, and dynamic cities. And yes, it has a great educational system, good healthcare, and a strong economy. But the extremely high cost of living makes it inaccessible to most families, so much so that California’s urban centers have become the face of homelessness and inequality in the USA.
