Housing News

These are the 10 Best States to Raise a Family in 2026

February 6, 2026

Most parents will tell you that raising a family isn’t cheap. The numbers back it up. It can cost a family up to $320,000 to raise a child to the age of 18, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

But there are plenty of states that offer a more affordable opportunity to raise a family without sacrificing quality of life.

In 2026, the best states to raise a family in are Massachusetts, Minnesota, and North Dakota, according to personal finance site WalletHub.

“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,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo in a statement.

To arrive at their findings, WalletHub assigned a weighted average to all 50 states based on 50 relevant metrics that fell within five key categories: family fun; health and safety; education and childcare; affordability; and socioeconomics.

Of all the states, Massachusetts ranked highest for education and childcare. It also came in third for both affordability and health and safety. Additionally, it also had the third-best job security and the ninth-lowest poverty rate.

However, real estate in the state isn’t cheap. The median home list price in Massachusetts was $699,900 in December 2025, compared to the national median price tag of $427,000, according to data from Realtor.com.

However, the pricier real estate market is balanced by higher incomes. Prices in Massachusetts have also fallen 4.4% year-over-year.

Minnesota, on the other hand, had a median home listing price of $367,000 in December, making it a more affordable choice for families operating on a smaller budget.

The state also had the second-highest median family income at $109,000 (adjusted for cost of living), helping more families afford homeownership.

Additionally, Minnesota had the second-lowest poverty rate, the eighth-lowest wealth gap between the lowest and highest earners, and the sixth-best public hospitals.

Another affordable option for families is North Dakota, where the median home list price in December was $349,950.

However, it’s a highly competitive market. The Realtor.com data shows that this was one of the only states where the number of homes for sale fell year-over-year. Plus, these listings stayed on the market for a median of 57 days, a tie for the fourth shortest duration in the country.

North Dakota ranked second overall for socio-economics, fourth for education and child care, and seventh for health and safety.

“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,” said Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, a sociology professor at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., in a statement.