This northeastern state is the best place to raise a family, according to a new report—see the full top 10 (2024)

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What is the #1 state to raise a family? ›

1. Massachusetts. WalletHub named Massachusetts the best state to raise a family, citing its low unemployment rate, good school systems, and safety for children's health and well-being.

For at least the third year in a row, the state was ranked No. 1 on personal finance website WalletHub's list of the "Best & Worst States to Raise a Family" for 2024. Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont also finished in the Top 10.

“Notably, many of the top-ranking cities are in California, especially in terms of family activities, health, safety and education. Cities like Fremont, Irvine, San Jose and San Diego consistently rank highly across multiple categories,” says Happe.

According to the survey, health care and education were ranked highest, and had the most weight in determining the best states to live. Utah once again topped the list, followed by New Hampshire, Nebraska, Minnesota and Idaho rounding out the top five.

“The Bay State is renowned for its education quality and ranks at the top when it comes to school systems. Plus, Massachusetts is better for children's health than most states, with the best water quality in the country and a low infant mortality rate.”

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire is the best state in New England and the second-best in the entire country, according to a new ranking from U.S News & World Report. The "Best States" ranking for 2024 puts New Hampshire at No. 2, Vermont seventh and Massachusetts 10th. Connecticut came in at No.

From 1987 to 2019, Connecticut was the richest state in the US as measured by per capita personal income. In 2020, it lost out — by $10 — to neighboring Massachusetts.

Data comparing populations from July 1, 2022 to July 1, 2023 show Massachusetts added the most population (18,700; 0.3 percent) of any state in New England that year, primarily due to international migration, while both Connecticut (8,500; 0.2 percent) and Maine (6,400; 0.5 percent) added more than twice as many people ...

What is the most expensive state to raise a family in? ›

1. Massachusetts. Raising a child in Massachusetts costs an estimated $35,841 a year – the most expensive state in the country and nearly double the national average.

The best state to raise a family: Massachusetts

For the second year in a row, Massachusetts is the best state to raise a family. The New England state earned a total score of 66.97 and ranked first in education and child care.

The analysis found that Connecticut (1), Massachusetts (2), and New York (3) are the states with the happiest and healthiest child populations, while Mississippi (50) and South Carolina (49) have the least.

U.S. median household income 2022, by state

The state with the highest median household income was Maryland, which was 108,200 U.S. dollars in 2022. The average median household income in the United States was at 70,784 U.S. dollars.

Which States Have the Lowest Income? By the median income standard, Mississippi is poorest state in the U.S., with a household average income of $52,985. It is closely followed by West Virginia, with an average of $55,217, and Arkansas with an income rate of $56,335, as of 2022.