Where Families Thrive In 2026
Where you raise your kids can shape everything—from their education and safety to their future earning potential. WalletHub’s newest nationwide analysis breaks down all 50 states using hard data on schools, affordability, healthcare, and overall quality of life. Some states clearly rise to the top. Others have serious catching up to do. Any guesses on what state is number 1?
50: New Mexico
New Mexico ranks last due to ongoing challenges in education quality, child well-being, and socio-economic stability. While housing costs are relatively affordable, weaker school performance, higher poverty rates, and limited upward mobility significantly impact overall family outcomes statewide.
49: Louisiana
High child poverty rates, struggling public schools, and weaker healthcare outcomes weigh heavily on Louisiana’s ranking. Safety concerns and limited economic mobility also contribute, making it one of the most difficult environments for families despite relatively affordable housing costs.
Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, Wikimedia Commons
48: West Virginia
West Virginia struggles with low median incomes and below-average healthcare access. Although housing remains inexpensive, limited economic opportunity and weaker school performance keep it near the bottom for families seeking long-term stability and upward mobility.
FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore, Wikimedia Commons
47: Mississippi
Persistent poverty, lower education rankings, and weaker public health metrics keep Mississippi near the bottom. While the cost of living is low, broader economic challenges and school system struggles affect long-term prospects for many families.
Daniel Schwen, Wikimedia Commons
46: Nevada
Nevada benefits from no state income tax and strong entertainment access, but education rankings and affordability pressures drag down its family-friendly score. Rapid population growth has also strained schools, healthcare systems, and housing availability.
Reinhard Link from Germany, Wikimedia Commons
45: Alabama
Lower healthcare quality rankings and weaker education outcomes impact Alabama’s overall standing. Affordable housing helps somewhat, but long-term family opportunity indicators, including income growth and school performance, remain below national averages.
WeaponizingArchitecture, Wikimedia Commons
44: Arkansas
Arkansas offers low housing costs and a reasonable cost of living for many households. However, education performance, healthcare access, and child well-being indicators limit its ranking compared to higher-performing states nationwide.
Bart Everson, Wikimedia Commons
43: Oklahoma
Oklahoma ranks low due to underfunded schools, weaker socio-economic indicators, and limited family support metrics. While housing remains affordable, education quality and long-term economic mobility fall below national averages.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
42: Georgia
Georgia shows strong economic growth, especially around Atlanta and major metro areas. However, uneven school performance, safety concerns in certain regions, and affordability pressures hold it back in overall family-friendly rankings.
Marc Merlin, Wikimedia Commons
41: Arizona
Arizona once ranked higher due to relative affordability, but rising housing costs and mixed education performance reduce its appeal. Healthcare access and school quality vary significantly across communities statewide.
davidpinter, Wikimedia Commons
40: North Carolina
Strong job growth and economic expansion help North Carolina remain competitive. However, affordability challenges, rising housing prices, and mixed education rankings keep it in the lower half overall for families.
39: Alaska
High median incomes are offset by extremely high living costs and geographic isolation. Access to healthcare, childcare, and educational resources can be limited in rural and remote areas.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
38: Kentucky
Kentucky struggles with lower household incomes, weaker healthcare outcomes, and below-average education rankings. While housing costs are manageable, economic mobility and long-term opportunity remain concerns for many families.
37: Michigan
Michigan offers affordable housing in many areas, but uneven public school performance and higher crime rates in certain cities affect its overall family ranking and long-term stability metrics.
Dwight Burdette, Wikimedia Commons
36: Idaho
Rapid population growth has driven up housing costs across Idaho in recent years. Education performance and healthcare access remain mixed, limiting its ability to rank higher despite strong job growth.
Tamanoeconomico, Wikimedia Commons
35: Indiana
Indiana benefits from a relatively low cost of living and affordable housing across much of the state. However, education performance, healthcare outcomes, and family well-being indicators trail higher-ranked states.
ComplexRational, Wikimedia Commons
34: Tennessee
No state income tax and affordable living attract families to Tennessee. Still, education quality, healthcare access, and long-term income growth metrics pull its overall score down compared to stronger-performing states.
David Ratledge, Wikimedia Commons
33: Florida
Florida offers job growth, warm weather, and no state income tax. However, rising insurance costs, housing affordability challenges, and mixed education outcomes weigh heavily on families considering relocation.
Alvesgaspar, Wikimedia Commons
32: South Carolina
South Carolina provides relatively affordable housing and growing job markets. Still, lower education rankings, uneven healthcare access, and safety concerns prevent it from climbing higher in the overall standings.
31: Delaware
Delaware’s small size offers manageable commutes and moderate affordability. However, its education performance, income levels, and broader socio-economic indicators remain largely middle-of-the-pack compared to stronger-performing states.
Harrison Keely, Wikimedia Commons
30: Missouri
Missouri balances affordability with average education and safety outcomes. It lands near the middle due to steady but unspectacular performance across healthcare, income growth, and long-term family opportunity metrics.
29: Kansas
Kansas offers low housing costs, short commute times, and moderate safety levels. Still, its overall education performance and socio-economic metrics rank slightly below the national midpoint for families.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
28: Texas
Texas benefits from strong job growth and no state income tax, attracting many relocating families. However, uneven education quality, higher property taxes, and rising housing costs impact overall affordability.
Jason Villanueva, Wikimedia Commons
27: Montana
Montana provides scenic living, low population density, and safe communities. Limited services, rural isolation in some regions, and moderate income levels keep it from ranking higher overall.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
26: California
California delivers enormous economic opportunity, diverse communities, and top-tier public universities. Yet extremely high housing costs and overall living expenses significantly impact affordability for many families statewide.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
25: Virginia
Virginia offers strong public schools, solid healthcare access, and proximity to major employment hubs. Slightly higher housing costs and living expenses prevent it from breaking into the top tier.
Bruce Emmerling, Wikimedia Commons
24: Wyoming
With no state income tax and low crime rates, Wyoming appeals to families seeking space and safety. However, limited higher education options, rural isolation, and fewer job markets reduce broader long-term opportunities.
Tony Webster from Laramie, Wyoming, United States, Wikimedia Commons
23: Hawaii
Hawaii excels in safety, health outcomes, and community well-being. However, the nation’s highest housing and living costs make it difficult for many families to comfortably afford everyday life.
Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons
22: Oregon
Oregon performs well in healthcare access, environmental quality, and outdoor amenities valued by families. Higher-than-average housing costs and uneven school performance slightly reduce its overall ranking.
Ian Poellet, Wikimedia Commons
21: Ohio
Ohio offers affordable living, steady job markets, and balanced school performance across many communities. While it doesn’t dominate any category, consistent safety, healthcare access, and housing affordability keep it competitive.
20: Maryland
High median incomes, strong public schools, and excellent healthcare systems push Maryland into the upper half. Proximity to Washington, D.C. expands job opportunities and long-term economic stability for families.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
19: Iowa
Iowa stands out for affordable housing, low crime rates, and solid public education statewide. Stable communities, manageable living costs, and consistent school performance create a dependable environment for raising children.
Carl Wycoff from Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons
18: Utah
Utah benefits from strong job growth, high workforce participation, and a family-oriented culture. Solid public schools and moderate living costs in many areas make it appealing for growing households.
Beneathtimp, Wikimedia Commons
17: Vermont
Very low crime rates, strong public schools, and tight-knit communities make Vermont appealing. Access to nature, civic engagement, and stable healthcare systems further support overall family well-being.
Harrison Keely, Wikimedia Commons
16: Rhode Island
Rhode Island scores well in healthcare access, education quality, and income levels. Compact geography keeps commute times short, while proximity to major Northeast job markets enhances opportunity.
Adam Jones from Kelowna, BC, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
15: Colorado
Colorado combines strong public schools, accessible healthcare, and abundant outdoor recreation. While housing costs are higher than average, income growth and economic opportunity help offset expenses for many families.
14: New Jersey
New Jersey boasts one of the best public school systems in the country alongside high median household incomes. Though housing prices are steep, strong healthcare access and job proximity strengthen its family appeal.
King of Hearts, Wikimedia Commons
13: Washington
Strong wages, thriving job markets, and excellent healthcare systems lift Washington’s ranking. Families also benefit from outdoor recreation, quality public schools, and diverse economic opportunities.
Richardmouser, Wikimedia Commons
12: Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania delivers solid public education, strong healthcare access, and moderate housing costs compared to neighboring states. Its mix of suburban and urban communities offers flexibility for families.
11: South Dakota
South Dakota pairs low taxes with strong safety metrics and solid public schools. Affordable housing, short commute times, and stable employment markets make it highly practical for families.
Tony Webster, Wikimedia Commons
10: Maine
Maine offers low crime rates, tight-knit communities, and reasonable housing costs compared to much of the Northeast. Strong local schools and access to outdoor recreation enhance quality of life.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
9: Illinois
Illinois benefits from strong suburban school systems and solid healthcare access statewide. While property taxes can be high, education quality and job access keep it firmly in the top ten.
Madcoverboy (talk), Wikimedia Commons
8: New Hampshire
Among the safest states in the nation, New Hampshire offers strong public schools and no state income tax. High civic engagement and stable communities support long-term family success.
Quintin Soloviev, Wikimedia Commons
7: Connecticut
High household incomes, excellent public schools, and low crime rates drive Connecticut’s strong performance. Proximity to New York City and Boston expands employment opportunities while maintaining suburban stability.
Kenneth C. Zirkel, Wikimedia Commons
6: New York
New York delivers top-tier public education, extensive healthcare access, and broad economic diversity. Though living costs are higher than average, strong public services and long-term mobility support families statewide.
King of Hearts, Wikimedia Commons
5: Nebraska
Nebraska performs strongly in affordability, health outcomes, and community safety. Lower housing costs, manageable living expenses, and steady job markets make it especially attractive for young families.
Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, Wikimedia Commons
4: Wisconsin
Wisconsin balances affordable living with strong public education and stable employment markets. Safe suburban communities, outdoor access, and reasonable housing prices help position it near the top.
User:Royalbroil, Wikimedia Commons
3: North Dakota
North Dakota stands out for affordable housing, low childcare costs, and strong socio-economic stability. Low unemployment and safe communities create a predictable environment for raising children.
Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant), Wikimedia Commons
2: Minnesota
Minnesota combines high median incomes, excellent public schools, and low poverty rates. Access to parks, healthcare, and community resources enhances overall family well-being.
Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, Wikimedia Commons
1: Massachusetts
Massachusetts leads the nation with top-ranked public schools, elite healthcare systems, high household incomes, and strong child wellness outcomes, making it the best state to raise a family in 2026.
Sharon Hahn Darlin, Wikimedia Commons
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