What's the most expensive state to raise a child?

Asked by: Ansel Corkery PhD  |  Last update: April 26, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (66 votes)

Massachusetts is consistently ranked as the most expensive state to raise a child, with recent studies from late 2025 showing annual costs for one young child exceeding $44,000, driven largely by extremely high housing and childcare expenses. Connecticut and Vermont also rank high, while California is also among the priciest, with New England states dominating the top spots due to soaring costs.

What is the most expensive state to raise a child?

A new study finds Massachusetts is the most expensive state in the U.S. to raise a child. In 2025, the average annual cost of raising a child under five in the United States reached $27,743, according to new research from SmartAsset.

What is the cheapest state to raise a baby?

Mississippi remains the most affordable state to raise a child, despite a 10% increase in costs year over year. The estimate now sits at $19,178 per year. Alabama ($20,550); Kentucky ($20,758); South Dakota ($21,174); and Georgia ($21,299) are also among the least expensive states for raising a child.

What state has the highest childcare costs?

Massachusetts is consistently ranked as the most expensive state for child care by dollar amount, with costs often exceeding college tuition, followed closely by New York, California, Maryland, and Washington, though rankings vary slightly by study and type of care (infant, toddler, center-based, home-based). The District of Columbia also appears as a top contender, especially when considering costs as a percentage of a single parent's income. 

What is the best state to raise children in the US?

Massachusetts was named the best state for raising a family, citing its economic opportunities and safety. Despite its low family-raising rank, Florida was previously named one of the top 10 best states to live in overall.

New study names Massachusetts most expensive state to raise a child

35 related questions found

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different studies rank states differently, but Vermont, Massachusetts, and Utah frequently appear at the top for quality of life, with Vermont often cited for its environment and health, Massachusetts for healthcare and education, and Utah for overall performance, though rankings shift based on criteria like economy, health, education, and safety.
 

What is the least kid friendly state?

Top 10 Least Safe States for Children in 2023

  1. West Virginia – Child Unsafety Score: 99. Maltreatment reports: 5,949 per 100K. ...
  2. Mississippi – Score: 98. ...
  3. Arkansas – Score: 96. ...
  4. New Mexico – Score: 86. ...
  5. Missouri – Score: 84. ...
  6. Indiana – Score: 82. ...
  7. Louisiana – Score: 80. ...
  8. South Carolina – Score: 78.

What state has the best child care?

  • New Jersey. #1 in Pre-K-12. #19 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Massachusetts. #2 in Pre-K-12. #9 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Connecticut. #3 in Pre-K-12. #15 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Illinois. #4 in Pre-K-12. #36 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Utah. #5 in Pre-K-12. ...
  • New Hampshire. #6 in Pre-K-12. ...
  • Wisconsin. #7 in Pre-K-12. ...
  • New York. #8 in Pre-K-12.

What is the biggest cost of raising a child in America?

The greatest expense associated with raising a child is housing. The cost of childcare varies widely and depends on where a family lives.

Why is child care so expensive in the United States?

Staff-to-child ratios

One of the primary reasons why child care is so expensive is that babies and toddlers need the attention of focused and nurturing staff who have adequate time to develop true familiarity with children. This requires low staff: child ratios, ideally 1:4 or fewer.

What is the #1 cheapest state to live in?

Mississippi is consistently ranked as the #1 cheapest state to live in the U.S., primarily due to the lowest housing costs in the nation, significantly below the national average, along with low transportation expenses, making overall living costs much more affordable. Other highly affordable states often listed alongside Mississippi include West Virginia, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Alabama, all offering very low housing and general living expenses. 

How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?

If you make $1,000 a week (about $4,333/month), your child support could range roughly from $160 to over $300 weekly, but it heavily depends on your state's formula (percentage of income or income shares), the other parent's income, custody, and expenses like health insurance, with some states using percentages like 17-20% for one child, while others consider both parents' incomes for an "income shares" model. 

What is the most kid friendly state?

Massachusetts often tops lists of family-friendly states thanks to its exceptional education system and safe communities. With some of the best public schools in the nation, your children will have access to strong academics, extracurricular activities, and innovative programs.

Which state has the happiest children?

Utah is officially the happiest place to raise a family in America. That's according to a new Family Happiness Index created by family-clothing brand Posh Peanut. Their study blended data on childcare costs, divorce rates, average household size, and a “happy child index” (tracking kids' health and well-being).

What is the most affordable state to raise a family?

  • Arkansas. #1 in Affordability. #44 in Best States Overall. ...
  • Mississippi. #2 in Affordability. #48 in Best States Overall. ...
  • West Virginia. #3 in Affordability. #46 in Best States Overall. ...
  • South Dakota. #4 in Affordability. ...
  • Oklahoma. #5 in Affordability. ...
  • Louisiana. #6 in Affordability. ...
  • Iowa. #7 in Affordability. ...
  • Alabama. #8 in Affordability.

What age is the most expensive to raise a child?

When in a child's life do parents spend the most? For all income levels, expenditures on children were the highest when they were between the ages of 15 and 17. It's at these ages that spending on transportation, healthcare, and food peaks.

Is it cheaper to raise a boy or a girl?

For example, research from lifestyle spending data found that over 18 years, raising a daughter can cost about $17,000 more than raising a son just because of differences in how much is spent on clothes, beauty products, hobbies, and trends.

What is the most expensive state to raise children?

Hawaii ranked as the most expensive state, where the income earner needs to be making nearly $103,000 a year to support a family. The study looked at how much it costs to keep one parent at home across different states, with Connecticut ranking among the most expensive in the country.

What state is financially best to live in?

The best states for finances often balance low cost of living with decent incomes, with top contenders like North Dakota, Wyoming, Iowa, and South Dakota, offering lower taxes and affordable housing alongside solid wages, while states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Washington stand out for having no state income tax, making them great for saving if income potential is high. Your ideal choice depends on your priorities: prioritize savings with low taxes (TX, FL, WY) or affordability and moderate wages (ND, IA). 

What state is #1 in education?

There isn't one single #1 state for education, as rankings vary by source and focus (K-12 vs. Higher Ed), but Massachusetts and New Jersey consistently rank at the top for overall education, while Florida has recently topped overall rankings by U.S. News & World Report for its combined higher ed and K-12 performance, notes the {Florida Department of Education and U.S. News & World Report}.
 

What is the safest state to raise a child in?

10 Best States to Raise a Family

  • Massachusetts. Massachusetts tops the rankings as the best state to raise a family, with an impressive score of 77.14. ...
  • Vermont. ...
  • North Dakota. ...
  • Minnesota. ...
  • New Hampshire. ...
  • South Dakota. ...
  • Iowa. ...
  • Maine.

What is the hardest US state to live in?

There's no single "hardest" state, but studies frequently rank New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas as the toughest due to high poverty, poor education, and crime rates, while Tennessee and Alabama are flagged for quality-of-life issues like crime or lack of inclusivity, and Alaska presents extreme costs and remoteness, making the "hardest" state subjective and dependent on what challenges one finds most difficult. 

What is the #1 safest state?

Vermont takes the top spot overall, bolstered by first-place finishes in both financial safety and road safety. Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine all rank in the top five, reflecting strong public institutions, lower violent crime rates, and robust emergency preparedness.

Where do the happiest children live?

According to a new UNICEF report, the Netherlands, Denmark, and France top the list for overall child well-being, while countries like the U.S. didn't even make the cut.