WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 31 key measures of cost, health care accessibility and baby-friendliness. The data set ranges from conventional-delivery charges at hospitals to average annual infant-care costs to the number of pediatricians per capita.
| Best States to Have a Baby | Worst States to Have a Baby |
| 1. Massachusetts | 42. West Virginia |
| 2. Minnesota | 43. Arkansas |
| 3. North Dakota | 44. Georgia |
| 4. Rhode Island | 45. Texas |
| 5. New Hampshire | 46. South Carolina |
| 6. Maine | 47. Nevada |
| 7. Connecticut | 48. New Mexico |
| 8. Vermont | 49. Florida |
| 9. Washington | 50. Alabama |
| 10. District of Columbia | 51. Mississippi |
Best vs. Worst
- Mississippi has the lowest average annual cost for early child care, which is 3.5 times lower than in the District of Columbia, the highest.
- New Hampshire has the lowest share of childbirths with low birth weight, which is 1.9 times lower than in Mississippi, the highest.
- Delaware has the most obstetricians and gynecologists (per 100,000 residents), which is 12.5 times more than in Oklahoma, the fewest.
- Massachusetts has the highest parental leave policy score, 160, while 9 states, such as Alabama, Michigan and South Dakota, tie for the lowest at 0.
To view the full report and your state’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/
“The best states for having a baby minimize costs while providing top-notch care for both newborns and their mothers. They also continue to be good environments for parents even long after the birth, with high-quality pediatric care, affordable and accessible child care, and a strong economic environment that makes providing for a child easier.”
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“Massachusetts is the best state to have a baby, in large part because it has the third-lowest infant mortality rate in the country and the third-lowest maternal mortality rate. Massachusetts also has the sixth-lowest food-insecurity rate for children and the sixth-highest share of children under three years old with all seven recommended vaccines. In addition, after giving birth in Massachusetts, you can benefit from the best parental leave policies in the nation.”
- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst
Expert Commentary
When planning to have a child, what financial considerations should parents take into account?
“Prospective parents should consider the full financial impact of raising a child rather than focusing only on the immediate costs of pregnancy and baby supplies. Important considerations include health insurance and medical expenses, parental leave, childcare, housing, transportation, emergency savings, and potential changes in household income. Childcare deserves particular attention because its cost and availability can influence whether a parent returns to work, reduces working hours, or temporarily leaves the workforce. Families should also continue protecting long-term priorities, including retirement savings and adequate insurances. A realistic plan will not eliminate every surprise, but it can reduce financial stress and give parents greater flexibility when circumstances change.”
Kristal A. Gerdes, Ph.D. – Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stout / Wisconsin's Polytechnic University
What is the biggest financial mistake that new parents make?
“One of the biggest mistakes is believing they must purchase every product or service marketed as essential for a new baby. This can lead families to overspend on short lived items while overlooking more important priorities, such as an emergency fund, childcare expenses, insurance coverage, and the possibility of reduced income. New parents should distinguish between what is truly necessary and what is simply convenient or emotionally appealing. Accepting secondhand items when appropriate, borrowing equipment, and delaying nonessential purchases can preserve valuable financial flexibility. The goal should not be to create a perfect nursery, but to build a stable financial foundation for the family.”
Kristal A. Gerdes, Ph.D. – Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stout / Wisconsin's Polytechnic University
What can local authorities do to make their cities more baby friendly?
“Local authorities can make their communities more supportive of families by addressing the practical challenges parents face every day. Expanding access to affordable and reliable childcare is especially important, but family friendly communities also need safe sidewalks, accessible public transportation, well maintained parks, family restrooms, changing stations, lactation spaces, and affordable housing near schools and services. Cities can also support parenting programs, family resource centers, and free or low-cost recreational activities that reduce isolation and help families build social connections. These investments benefit more than parents and babies; they improve accessibility, safety, workforce participation, and quality of life throughout the community.”
Kristal A. Gerdes, Ph.D. – Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stout / Wisconsin's Polytechnic University
What is driving the downward trend in the U.S. birth rate?
“The decline in the U.S. birth rate reflects a combination of economic pressures, changing life patterns, and greater individual choice. Many adults are postponing parenthood while pursuing education, establishing careers, seeking financial stability, or waiting for affordable housing and dependable childcare. The high cost of raising children, limited paid leave, work life balance concerns, and uncertainty about long-term financial security can make parenthood feel increasingly difficult to manage. At the same time, people have greater freedom to decide whether, when, and under what circumstances they want to have children. Although annual birth totals sometimes fluctuate, provisional CDC data for 2025 showed both births and the general fertility rate declining from 2024, continuing the broader long-term pattern of fewer births among younger adults and later entry into parenthood.”
Kristal A. Gerdes, Ph.D. – Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stout / Wisconsin's Polytechnic University
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