These are the best, worst states to raise a family, study finds

Researchers surveyed ‘parental burnout’ across the globe and found American parents among most exhausted

The study was put together by the university UCLouvain in Belgium and thousands of parents in 42 countries participated.

A new study reveals if you’re looking for the best places in America to raise a family, you may want to consider these states.

The study, conducted by Birth Injury Lawyers Group, a birth injury law firm, analyzed data from all 50 states on 16 criteria in four categories: health and safety, education and childcare, affordability, and socioeconomics, to find the best and worst states for raising a family.

"States that prioritize maternal and infant health, as evidenced by low uninsured rates, access to specialized care, and low infant mortality, provide a safer environment for families welcoming new babies," the group said in a statement, adding, "Choosing a state that prioritizes families is a crucial step in safeguarding mothers' and newborns' health and well-being."

Massachusetts ranks as best state to raise a family

The study found that Massachusetts ranked first as the best state to raise a family, boasting a score of 77.14.

FILE: Father with son. (Credit: NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the data, the state excels in several key areas. The state received a health and safety score of 82.27, with only 1.5% of children lacking health insurance, and the state boasts a robust network of 117.5 certified pediatricians per 100,000 children.

The state also scored high for education and child care and socioeconomics due to its low unemployment rate of 2.9%.

"Massachusetts sets a high bar for family-friendly living, making it a highly desirable location for families seeking a well-rounded and enriching environment," the law group continued.

Vermont secured a close second with 76.54, while North Dakota claimed the third spot, achieving a score of 75.75.

Study: 10 best states to raise a family

1. Massachusetts

2. Vermont

3. North Dakota

4. Minnesota

5. New Hampshire

6. South Dakota

7. Iowa

8. Maine

9. Utah

10. Pennsylvania

Nevada ranks as worst state to raise family

Nevada ranked as the worst state to raise a family, with a score of 49.57, indicating challenges for families.

The state ranked low for health and safety with a score of 53.49 due to the limited access to quality healthcare and high crime rate. The state also ranked low for education and child care, affordability and socioeconomics.

"Nevada's high crime rates and a lower emphasis on public health infrastructure make it less ideal for raising children," the group added.

Louisiana followed the lowest scoring states with a 52.37, and Mississippi trailed closely behind at 52.59.

Study: 10 worst states to raise a family

1. Nevada

2. Louisiana

3. Mississippi

4. California

5. Arkansas

6. New Mexico

7. Texas

8. South Carolina

9. Arizona

10. Alabama

Earlier this year, another report analyzed the best places in America to raise a family.

According to Niche, a website that helps people find good schools and neighborhoods, the 20 best places to raise a family in 2024 were all in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Indiana and Ohio.

It’s unclear why the top 20 list all ended up in the same handful of states, but Niche said it combined millions of user reviews with data from U.S. Census Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create the rankings.