With the cost of raising a child to age 18 reaching well over $300,000, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on the Best & Worst States to Raise a Family in 2025, as well as expert commentary, to highlight the states that are affordable, safe, well-educated and enjoyable for families to live in.
WalletHub compared the 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness. Our data set includes factors like the median annual family income, housing affordability, health care quality, crime rate, and school quality.
Raising a Family in New York (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
- Overall rank – 6th
- 6th – Infant-Mortality Rate
- 23rd – Median Annual Family Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
- 20th – Separation & Divorce Rate
- 3rd – Percentage of Children (Newborn to Age 18) Lacking Health Insurance Coverage
- 22nd – Poverty Crimes per Capita
Expert Commentary
What should families consider when choosing a place to settle down?
“Families should consider hundreds of factors when choosing a place to settle down. Things like proximity to extended family, job possibilities, school options, community resources, cost of living, and the list goes on and on. Given the broad array of things for families to consider, perhaps the most important aspect is for families to prioritize the factors that are most important to them. Each family has a unique set of priorities which are sometimes spoken and sometimes unspoken. Families should talk together about the things that are most important to the family as a whole as well as for each individual family member. All family members should have a voice in the discussion, however; the ultimate decision should fall on the leaders of the family, most often parents, but not in all family situations. Make a list of priorities and things that are most important to them and then consider a handful of places that could be potential locations. Evaluate each place on each of their priorities and then make a decision as to which one is the best for their unique needs.”
Daniel J. Puhlman, PhD, LMFT – Assistant Professor; Head of the Parenting Relationships Research Lab, University of Maine
To what degree is a child’s development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the state in which they live? How?
“Family life is deeply shaped by the state in which one resides. According to the 2024 Well-Being Index by State, everything from transportation and pollution regulation to taxation, childcare quality and access, and the licensing of healthcare professionals is determined by state policies. These policies are far-reaching and influence nearly every aspect of family life, ultimately affecting the overall well-being of its members.”
Monica Oxford, MSW, Ph.D. – Professor; Executive Director, Barnard Center for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health; Director of Parent-Child Relationship Programs, Washington University
“In today’s society, the regulations, laws, and policies that govern each state are unique and specific to that state and these rules have fundamental impacts on children and families. The ways that states implement tax policies and how they use resources impact families across multiple domains. State governments decide how to provide education, childcare guidelines, resources available to families, health care options, and many other policies related to families. Families also have belief and value systems that can either align with the way states are governed or be contradictory to policies in place. These factors also can impact how families feel about their fit with their communities and how they are perceived by their neighbors. These are essential factors that families should consider when thinking about where they want to live.”
Daniel J. Puhlman, PhD, LMFT – Assistant Professor; Head of the Parenting Relationships Research Lab, University of Maine
What are some specific factors that affect child and family well-being?
“The Well-Being Index…measures various aspects, including physical, social, community, and financial well-being, as well as access to healthcare, food, housing, resources, and transportation. Since every family is unique, their needs will vary and evolve over time. Young parents, for example, may not know what challenges lie ahead – will their child require specialized healthcare, developmental services, or a supportive community that embraces their individuality? Given these uncertainties, consulting an index can be a useful strategy to help families make an informed choice about where to settle based on their specific needs and priorities.”
Monica Oxford, MSW, Ph.D. – Professor; Executive Director, Barnard Center for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health; Director of Parent-Child Relationship Programs, Washington University
“States looking to attract young families need to implement policies that are family friendly and supportive to the needs of those families. Most young families care about child related matters such as education, childcare options/cost, access to extracurricular activities, and child friendly options for recreation. The policies implemented in given states have an important impact on all these areas and authorities should consider these impacts closely before making any formal decisions. States also need to have sufficient options for adults to be able to get their needs met as well. Policies that assist young families in purchasing a home, provide a variety of different job and career options, attract diverse entertainment options, and provide supports for families who may be struggling or need support because they experienced traumatic circumstances are needed in states wishing to bring in young families.”
Daniel J. Puhlman, PhD, LMFT – Assistant Professor; Head of the Parenting Relationships Research Lab, University of Maine