The best states to raise a family in 2025

Top 5 states to raise a family

The top five states for raising a family are Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Wyoming.

1. Vermont

Vermont earned its spot as one of the top states to raise a family in by ranking first in quality of life and ranking high in child health care, education and safety. The state has the highest number of libraries per capita in the nation, with 25 libraries per 100,000 residents.

Vermont is also home to the second-highest number of national and state parks per capita (8.5 per 100,000 residents), providing plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities for families. Vermont also stands out for its air quality, ranking third. As Trevor Summerfield, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association in Vermont, put it, "Vermont continues to be one of the best places to live when it comes to (common) pollutants" due to its low levels of harmful air pollution.

The state ranks sixth for pediatric health care access and for public education. In addition, Vermont’s low violent crime rate, the sixth lowest in the nation, further solidifies its reputation as a safe and family-friendly place to live.

2. Maine

Maine stands out as a top contender for families, with high rankings in quality of life and safety. It has the lowest overall violent crime rate, making it a top destination for parents most concerned with safety. Maine's draw for families is further highlighted by its third-place ranking for overall quality of life, including having (along with Wyoming) the lowest percentage of children living in poverty, at just 5%.

Families in Maine benefit from the state’s natural beauty and many outdoor activities. It is home to Acadia National Park, known for its scenic coastal views and family-friendly hiking trails.

3. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania ranks highly for raising a family due to impressive scores in public education, safety and pediatric health care. It is fifth in public education, with the second-highest public high school graduation rate in the country, at 96%. Additionally, Pennsylvania ranks in the top 10 for the number of pediatricians per 100,000 children (147), providing children in the state with adequate access to medical care.

Gov. Josh Shapiro's 2024-25 budget for Pennsylvania includes $1.11 billion in additional funding for K-12 public education, focusing on equitable distribution and special education enhancements. These investments reflect the state’s ongoing efforts to improve its education system — an important factor for parents and guardians seeking a supportive environment for their children.

4. New Hampshire

New Hampshire ranks as a top choice for families because of its blend of low crime rates, excellent quality of life and accessible health care. The state is second in air quality, and it ranks third for the number of national and state parks, at close to seven per 100,000 people. Additionally, New Hampshire places in the top five for public libraries, with 16 per 100,000 residents.

These community resources complement the state's strong health care system. New Hampshire has the second-lowest infant mortality rate in the U.S. at 3.5 per 1,000 live births. With 76% of children regularly receiving preventive medical and dental care, and nearly 98% of children having health insurance coverage, New Hampshire has a robust system for supporting children's health care.

New Hampshire is also the safest state in the nation, with the third-lowest violent crime rate and the lowest property crime rate in the U.S.

5. Wyoming

One of Wyoming's biggest draws is its affordability. It ranked as the seventh-most affordable state, offering a great cost of living for families. Child care costs average $8,737 annually, which is the lowest among any state in the top five.

Additionally, Wyoming excels in safety, ranking in the top 10, and has a high 94% high school graduation rate, ninth highest in the U.S. The state also places high for the fewest children living in poverty, at just 5%, and is in the top 10 for air quality.

However, Wyoming's health care system faces challenges, ranking near the bottom of all states. Around 14% of families struggle to afford their children’s medical care, and only 91% of children are covered by insurance.

Despite these health care limitations, Wyoming remains a top choice for families seeking a slower pace at an affordable price.

Which states ranked poorly for raising a family?

The bottom five states for raising a family are all located in the West and South and face significant challenges in education and quality of life.

California ranks at the bottom, struggling with high child poverty rates, a shortage of libraries and bad air quality.

Texas follows closely behind, scoring poorly in health care, safety and quality of life. The state has the lowest pediatric health care score, with the highest percentages of uninsured children and families that can’t afford their children’s health care bills.

New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada round out the bottom, with poor public education and lower rankings in quality of life.

How does your state rank?

We evaluated all 50 states and Washington, D.C., across five categories — affordability, safety, education, pediatric health care and quality of life — to determine overall rankings for raising a family in 2025.

However, depending on your family’s unique needs, some aspects, like health care or cost of living, may carry more weight. By taking a deeper look at all of these factors, you can determine which state is right for your family.

How to pick the best place for your family

Choosing the best place to raise your family means considering general quality of life factors as well as aspects that affect your child’s development. Sheel Jagani, the director of special populations integration at the Texas Education Agency, which oversees primary and secondary education in the state, shared her insights on what parents should consider when evaluating potential new communities.

• Evaluate hidden costs of living. Beyond housing costs, consider regional price differences for essentials like food, clothing and child care, which can vary widely. Expenses like heating in colder states or insurance premiums in disaster-prone areas may also add up, affecting overall affordability.
• Prioritize community resources. Seek out communities with active support systems, such as recreation centers, libraries with children’s programming and parent groups. These resources help families integrate quickly and offer a sense of belonging, particularly if you're moving without an established support network. "Community centers like libraries and parks can be central to supplementing what's available in a school and ensure kids have access to enrichment and play,” Jagani said.
• Consider school quality and extracurriculars. Research local schools and extracurricular programs to understand the educational opportunities available. Schools that offer enrichment programs, sports and arts activities provide an additional layer of support for children's personal and academic growth. "Outside of academics, you may want to find out if the transportation options, nutrition options, after-school programs and facilities meet the needs of your family,” Jagani said.
• Look into state-specific policies. Certain states have policies or programs designed to benefit families with school-age children. Whether it’s funding for charter schools, after-school care programs or state-funded college savings accounts, these can make a big difference in your family’s quality of life.

Methodology

To determine the best states in which to raise a family in 2025, the ConsumerAffairs Research Team compared all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., across five weighted categories worth a total of 100 points:

• Affordability (30 points): The affordability score is based on the annual cost of raising a child in each state, covering expenses like food, rent, child care and tax credits. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau, Child Care Aware of America and the National Conference of State Legislatures.
• Safety (20 points): The safety score is based on five metrics: violent crime, property crime, driving safety, public safety and climate safety, using data from ConsumerAffairs’ study on the safest states in America.
• Education (20 points): The education score is based on four categories: K-12 performance, school funding and resources, higher education quality and school safety, using data from ConsumerAffairs’ study on the best states for public education.
• Pediatric health care (20 points): The pediatric health care score considers five metrics: pediatricians per 100,000 people up to age 21, infant mortality rate, percentage of uninsured children, percentage of children who did not receive preventive care and percentage of families struggling with medical bills. Data sources include America’s Health Rankings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative.
• Quality of life (10 points): The quality of life score is based on four metrics: percentage of children in poverty, number of state and national parks per 100,000 people, number of public libraries per 100,000 people and ConsumerAffairs' analysis of data on cities with the best air quality. Data sources include the Annie E. Casey Foundation, Outside Interactive, the National Association of State Park Directors and the National Center for Education Statistics.

For questions about the data or if you'd like to set up an interview, please contact acurls@consumeraffairs.com.

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