NH ranked in Top Ten states when it comes to raising a family

New Hampshire has wonderful recreational value for families (Courtesy photo)

With the cost of raising a child to age 18 exceeding $320,000, the personal-finance company WalletHub today released its report on the Best and Worst States to Raise a Family in 2626, as well as expert commentary, to highlight the states that are affordable, safe, well-educated and enjoyable for families to live in.

WalletHub compared the 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness, including median annual family income, housing affordability, health care quality, crime rate, and school quality.

Raising a Family in New Hampshire (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

• Overall rank - 8^th
• 23^rd - Child-Care Costs (Adjusted for Median Family Income)
• 1^st - Infant-Mortality Rate
• 11^th - Median Annual Family Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
• 2^nd - Violent Crimes per Capita
• 1^st - % of Families in Poverty
• 26^th - Housing Affordability
• 1^st - Unemployment Rate
• 24^th - Separation & Divorce Rate

For the full report, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-raise-a-family/31065



"Raising a family has become significantly more expensive in recent years as the cost of living has risen quickly. In fact, it can cost a family well over $320,000 to raise a child to age 18, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In light of the expensive nature of being a parent and the responsibility it entails, it's important to live in a city that is affordable while still providing quality health care, education, safety and opportunities for enrichment."
--
"Massachusetts is the best state to raise a family, with the third-best job security in the country and the ninth-lowest poverty rate, which increases the likelihood that parents will be able to provide for their children. When it comes to health and overall wellbeing, Massachusetts has the fifth-best water quality in the country, the highest rate of children with health insurance, and the third-lowest infant mortality rate. It also has the second-highest overall life expectancy and fourth-lowest property crime rate. In addition, Massachusetts ranks first in the country for the quality of its public school system."

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst


Expert Commentary

What should families consider when choosing a place to settle down?

"A family may or may not have a choice on where they settle down but if one were to have choices, some factors to consider are: cost of living/affordability, access to safe and affordable childcare, access to social networks (e.g. family and friends), access to quality healthcare, quality options for education, low crime rates, and access to specific programs/services that are important to your family."
Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, PhD - Associate Professor, Rollins College

"Families should consider many factors when deciding where to settle. Safety, low crime rates, housing affordability, cost of living, and access to strong schools are among the most influential considerations. Employment opportunities also matter greatly; in states with higher resignation rates, such as Delaware, Alaska, South Carolina, Montana, and Wyoming, workers often have more leverage to obtain better wages or benefits, which can make these locations appealing for families. Healthcare access, community amenities, climate, and transportation options further shape overall quality of life. Another important factor is the type of relationship families want their children to have with parents and extended kin. Living near grandparents can promote strong intergenerational bonds and may also ease childcare challenges, particularly as childcare costs continue to rise. Grandparents can provide emotional support and, when available, free or reduced-cost childcare. Families may also consider the broader network of extended relatives in an area, as proximity to cousins, aunts, uncles, and other kin offers children the opportunity to build nurturing relationships with multiple family members throughout their lives."
Cassandra D. Chaney, Ph.D. - Professor, Louisiana State University


To what degree is a child's development and a family's quality of life influenced by the state in which they live? How?

"A family's quality of life and their children's development are significantly affected by the state in which they live. For instance, U.S. states vary in their education systems, economic opportunities, cost of living, healthcare access, and social policies. States that generate strong public-school funding and offer early childhood programs foster better social and cognitive developmental outcomes in children. Likewise, family support services and affordable healthcare impact families' and children's health and well-being and are particularly crucial for low-income families. Moreover, economic factors such as minimum wage laws, job availability, and housing affordability affect family stability, while community resources, cultural inclusivity, and safety influence the overall quality of life for children and families. Due to their trickle-down effects, state-level policies and resources either create supportive environments for children and families or hinder their growth and development. Hence, families need to critically examine their current situation, future goals, and state policies and environments when determining a suitable place to live."
Dr. M. H. Raza - Associate Professor, Missouri State University

"Proper child development necessitates a supportive environment at home, school, and community. From a state perspective, attracting employers offering a variety of jobs with living wages for families to support themselves, adequately funding educational programs, investing in community recreational spaces, and crime prevention programs can all influence child development and a family's quality of life. Furthermore, some families with children with special needs may need additional economic and social support, and this varies greatly by state and should be taken into consideration."
Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, PhD - Associate Professor, Rollins College


How can authorities make their states more attractive to young families?

"Authorities can strengthen family well-being by investing in high-quality education, accessible childcare, and family-friendly policies such as paid leave and flexible work arrangements. These investments offer numerous benefits. Paid leave and flexible work options support both child and parental health by giving families the time needed to bond during the critical early years of development (particularly, birth to age five). They also help build stronger family relationships, enhance work-life balance, reduce burnout, and improve employee retention. In addition, these policies allow young families to maintain financial stability while caring for a new or growing family, which increases job satisfaction and contributes to the long-term cognitive, emotional, and social well-being of children. Expanding access to healthcare and creating safe, livable communities with parks, recreational areas, and cultural amenities further enhances a state's appeal to families. States with higher resignation rates may also provide competitive employment incentives, livable wages, and supportive social policies, helping attract and retain young or growing families while improving quality of life across multiple dimensions."
Cassandra D. Chaney, Ph.D. - Professor, Louisiana State University

"Several factors play an important role for families in determining a suitable place to live. Therefore, state authorities need to evaluate their education systems, childcare facilities, healthcare services, and overall quality of life to make them more attractive, affordable, and supportive of young families. States should also ensure family safety, create parks and recreational facilities, and promote family-friendly community cultures that encourage engagement and social support. Economic incentives such as tax breaks for families, strong job markets, and affordable housing programs can further enhance families' financial stability. In addition, it is critical for authorities to improve existing transportation infrastructure to meet families' current needs and facilitate mobility. Authorities can also support families in maintaining a healthy work-life balance by offering family-friendly policies and fostering inclusive and culturally responsive communities, which may help increase overall quality of life and family well-being. Since families seek opportunity and stability, states need to prioritize these areas to attract and retain young families."
Dr. M. H. Raza - Associate Professor, Missouri State University

Best,
Diana Polk
WalletHub Communications Manager
(786) 383-3351


"Raising a family has become significantly more expensive in recent years as the cost of living has risen quickly. In fact, it can cost a family well over $320,000 to raise a child to age 18, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In light of the expensive nature of being a parent and the responsibility it entails, it's important to live in a city that is affordable while still providing quality health care, education, safety and opportunities for enrichment."
--
"Massachusetts is the best state to raise a family, with the third-best job security in the country and the ninth-lowest poverty rate, which increases the likelihood that parents will be able to provide for their children. When it comes to health and overall wellbeing, Massachusetts has the fifth-best water quality in the country, the highest rate of children with health insurance, and the third-lowest infant mortality rate. It also has the second-highest overall life expectancy and fourth-lowest property crime rate. In addition, Massachusetts ranks first in the country for the quality of its public school system."

- Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst


Expert Commentary

What should families consider when choosing a place to settle down?

"A family may or may not have a choice on where they settle down but if one were to have choices, some factors to consider are: cost of living/affordability, access to safe and affordable childcare, access to social networks (e.g. family and friends), access to quality healthcare, quality options for education, low crime rates, and access to specific programs/services that are important to your family."
Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, PhD - Associate Professor, Rollins College

"Families should consider many factors when deciding where to settle. Safety, low crime rates, housing affordability, cost of living, and access to strong schools are among the most influential considerations. Employment opportunities also matter greatly; in states with higher resignation rates, such as Delaware, Alaska, South Carolina, Montana, and Wyoming, workers often have more leverage to obtain better wages or benefits, which can make these locations appealing for families. Healthcare access, community amenities, climate, and transportation options further shape overall quality of life. Another important factor is the type of relationship families want their children to have with parents and extended kin. Living near grandparents can promote strong intergenerational bonds and may also ease childcare challenges, particularly as childcare costs continue to rise. Grandparents can provide emotional support and, when available, free or reduced-cost childcare. Families may also consider the broader network of extended relatives in an area, as proximity to cousins, aunts, uncles, and other kin offers children the opportunity to build nurturing relationships with multiple family members throughout their lives."
Cassandra D. Chaney, Ph.D. - Professor, Louisiana State University


To what degree is a child's development and a family's quality of life influenced by the state in which they live? How?

"A family's quality of life and their children's development are significantly affected by the state in which they live. For instance, U.S. states vary in their education systems, economic opportunities, cost of living, healthcare access, and social policies. States that generate strong public-school funding and offer early childhood programs foster better social and cognitive developmental outcomes in children. Likewise, family support services and affordable healthcare impact families' and children's health and well-being and are particularly crucial for low-income families. Moreover, economic factors such as minimum wage laws, job availability, and housing affordability affect family stability, while community resources, cultural inclusivity, and safety influence the overall quality of life for children and families. Due to their trickle-down effects, state-level policies and resources either create supportive environments for children and families or hinder their growth and development. Hence, families need to critically examine their current situation, future goals, and state policies and environments when determining a suitable place to live."
Dr. M. H. Raza - Associate Professor, Missouri State University

"Proper child development necessitates a supportive environment at home, school, and community. From a state perspective, attracting employers offering a variety of jobs with living wages for families to support themselves, adequately funding educational programs, investing in community recreational spaces, and crime prevention programs can all influence child development and a family's quality of life. Furthermore, some families with children with special needs may need additional economic and social support, and this varies greatly by state and should be taken into consideration."
Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, PhD - Associate Professor, Rollins College


How can authorities make their states more attractive to young families?

"Authorities can strengthen family well-being by investing in high-quality education, accessible childcare, and family-friendly policies such as paid leave and flexible work arrangements. These investments offer numerous benefits. Paid leave and flexible work options support both child and parental health by giving families the time needed to bond during the critical early years of development (particularly, birth to age five). They also help build stronger family relationships, enhance work-life balance, reduce burnout, and improve employee retention. In addition, these policies allow young families to maintain financial stability while caring for a new or growing family, which increases job satisfaction and contributes to the long-term cognitive, emotional, and social well-being of children. Expanding access to healthcare and creating safe, livable communities with parks, recreational areas, and cultural amenities further enhances a state's appeal to families. States with higher resignation rates may also provide competitive employment incentives, livable wages, and supportive social policies, helping attract and retain young or growing families while improving quality of life across multiple dimensions."
Cassandra D. Chaney, Ph.D. - Professor, Louisiana State University

"Several factors play an important role for families in determining a suitable place to live. Therefore, state authorities need to evaluate their education systems, childcare facilities, healthcare services, and overall quality of life to make them more attractive, affordable, and supportive of young families. States should also ensure family safety, create parks and recreational facilities, and promote family-friendly community cultures that encourage engagement and social support. Economic incentives such as tax breaks for families, strong job markets, and affordable housing programs can further enhance families' financial stability. In addition, it is critical for authorities to improve existing transportation infrastructure to meet families' current needs and facilitate mobility. Authorities can also support families in maintaining a healthy work-life balance by offering family-friendly policies and fostering inclusive and culturally responsive communities, which may help increase overall quality of life and family well-being. Since families seek opportunity and stability, states need to prioritize these areas to attract and retain young families."
Dr. M. H. Raza - Associate Professor, Missouri State University