Where you live impacts the cost of living, job opportunities, entertainment options, and even your safety.

    As a result, many families are eager to find the most family-oriented, safest places to live that meet a variety of wants and needs. 

    However, it’s rare for any one place to have it all. For example, one state could offer low-income taxes but subpar schools. Another may have strong educational opportunities yet high living costs. With many factors to consider, it can be difficult to choose where to raise a family. 

    This is why WalletHub compared all 50 states in a report on family-friendliness. The report examines 51 key indicators across categories like family fun, health and safety, education and childcare, affordability, and socio-economics. Keep reading for our breakdown of the key takeaways from this report and how you can make an educated decision on where to move.


    Best and Worst States To Live for Families

    WalletHub’s 2023 report on “Best & Worst States to Raise a Family” ranks these states highest and lowest for family-friendliness:

    Best for FamiliesWorst for Families
    1. Massachusetts41. Arizona
    2. Minnesota42. Georgia
    3. New York43. Oklahoma
    4. North Dakota44. Arkansas
    5. Vermont45. Alabama
    6. New Hampshire46. South Carolina
    7. New Jersey47. Louisiana
    8. Nebraska48. West Virginia
    9. Iowa49. New Mexico
    10. Connecticut50. Mississippi

    WalletHub ranked states using metrics such as: 

    • Average annual housing costs
    • Unemployment rates
    • High school graduation rates
    • Violent crime rates
    • Median family income
    • Access to family-friendly recreation, including spots like parks and museums

    Key Report Takeaways

    State-level data reveals notable trends in various categories. Use the dropdown tabs below to learn more about each factor:

    • Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama offer the most affordable housing.
    • Oregon, Nevada, New York, Hawaii, and California have the least affordable housing.
    • Maine has the lowest separation and divorce rate, while Arkansas has the highest number of divorced individuals. 
    • New Hampshire has the smallest share of families in poverty, with only 7% of households, while Mississippi has the largest poverty rate of 18.70%. 
    • South Dakota has the lowest average yearly childcare costs relative to income. In contrast, Massachusetts has the highest.
    • Maine has the fewest violent crimes per capita, while Alaska has the most.

    These highlights show state comparisons across categories important to families. See the full rankings here.


    What Makes a State Family-Friendly?

    What defines a genuinely family-friendly state? While priorities differ, specific attributes cultivate nurturing environments for raising children, such as:

    • Affordable Housing. Lower costs help families live within their means, freeing up money for necessities, childcare, and savings.
    • Strong Education. Highly ranked school systems prepare children for academic achievement and future opportunities.
    • Outdoor Fun. Nearby parks, trails, lakes, and recreational areas provide family activities.
    • Low Crime. Lower crime rates create safer conditions, reducing worries about your family and children’s safety.
    • Jobs. Robust employment markets make earning a stable income easier.

    The most family-friendly states scored high on these factors, offering many perks for parents and children. For families interested in moving, evaluating rankings like WalletHub’s can help narrow down the choices when looking for the optimal spot to settle down.


    Deciding where to raise a family prompts common questions, including:

    FAQs: Choosing a Family-Friendly State To Live

    Where are the most affordable states for families?

    Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama offer some of the most affordable housing options in the United States. A lower cost of living enables families to live comfortably within their budgets.


    Where are the top-ranked school systems located?

    According to another report by WalletHub, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Virginia lead in education from pre-K through 12th grade.


    Which states offer the most family recreation?

    Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, and Wisconsin have many outdoor activities, plus indoor options like children’s museums. However, family recreation is available in nearly every state, with parks, museums, hiking trails, and more.


    What are the safest states for families?

    Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Maryland, North Dakota, Hawaii, Utah, and Vermont have the lowest violent crime rates against children, including rates of child abuse, homicides, poverty, and school shootings. SafeHome.org determined New Hampshire to be the best state to raise children based on safety.


    Where is the job market favorable for families?

    Arizona, Florida, Texas, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and North Carolina have experienced rapid job creation in recent years, offering abundant employment opportunities. However, it’s crucial to prioritize the factors that matter most to your household. For example, you may work in an industry with plenty of remote job opportunities, so moving to a state with a rapidly growing job market may not be a priority.


    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Amy DeYoung

    Amy DeYoung

    Contributor

    Amy DeYoung has a passion for educating and motivating homeowners to improve their lives through home improvement projects and preventative measures. She is a content writer and editor specializing in pest control, moving, window, and lawn/gardening content for Today’s Homeowner. Amy utilizes her own experience within the pest control and real estate industry to educate readers. She studied business, communications, and writing at Arizona State University.

    Learn More

    photo of Lori Zaino

    Lori Zaino

    Lori Zaino is a freelance writer and editor based in Madrid, Spain. With nearly two decades of editorial experience, she’s written and edited for publications like Forbes, CNN, Insider, NBC, Newsweek, The Points Guy, The Infatuation, and many others. Having just completed her first home renovation, she’s more interested in home improvements than ever, dedicated to bringing you fresh and accurate content to help you update your living spaces.

    Learn More