COVID-19 and politics aside, we could all agree that the United States is, without a doubt, one of the best countries to live in in the world. But having to choose from over 50 states could be a total headache, especially when considering the safety and welfare of the entire family.
"When choosing a home, most families will prioritize places that have a reasonable cost of living, low crime rates, access to affordable, high-quality child care, and an effective public school system," University of Pittsburgh early childhood education professor Patricia Crawford said.
"Families should also consider the availability, quality, and affordability of community resources such as libraries, museums, cultural centers, and green spaces," she added.
Just recently, the personal finance website Wallethub ranked all fifty states in America to determine which side of the country is best to raise a family and which are not so family-friendly.
Wallethub's report based the ranking on 52 key indicators of family-friendliness, including factors like public school quality, job opportunities, housing affordability, unemployment rate, and even coronavirus weekly death rate.
All key indicators were narrowed down to five major categories: family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability, and socioeconomics.
Where is the best place to raise a family in the US?
The report shows that Massachusetts is the place to be. The state got a high ranking result in public school quality, parental leave, children's hospital, and low infant mortality rate.
Despite having expensive child care, education rates, homes, and overall high cost of living, the so-called "Bay State" boasts high-quality in providing family fun, health, and safety policies.
Landing on the top five best places to live in the US is Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, and Vermont. All five states got a high score in the education and child care category and family fun as all states are home to the best parks and recreational centers.
The worst place to raise a family in the US
If there is a state that offers a close-to-perfection kind of living, there is also one at the bottom, which, according to Wallethub, is not ideal for raising a family. That state is New Mexico.
Based on the survey, the southern state's quality of education, child care, income, and crime rates are the factors to blame. New Mexico ranked poorly on the said criteria on top of having the highest separation and divorce rates and families living in poverty.
The only factor in favor of New Mexico is it's $279,950 median home price, which is less than a national home cost. The dry heat and natural beauty of New Mexico also draw families, particularly with a retiree member, into the said low-ranking state.
Despite having an affordable cost of living, taxes, and home prices, four other Southern states joined New Mexico in the top 5 worst places to raise a family in the US. This includes Mississippi, West Virginia, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
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