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Top 10 Best states to raise a family in the US with the Best quality of life – 2023

Last updated on: August 2, 2023

When looking forward to moving as a parent in the United States, your headache begins when you ponder on things from safety to school ratings and child-friendly neighborhoods, in addition to planning moving tasks. We need to make moving decisions that assist us in raising our kids with ease and peace of mind. Sometimes, moving can be inevitable and the need for a stable and secure environment comes with moving kids. Here are the top 10 best states to raise a family in the US!

Methodology

We understand that deciding where to raise a family is one of the most difficult decisions to make. We’ve consequently built our ranking of the best states to raise a family in America based on a study from WalletHub, who considered the following criteria: family fun, health and safety, education and childcare, affordability, as well as socioeconomics.

In addition, we used the following data to rank the 10 best states to raise a family in the US while also considering their quality of life. Health, pollution, green spaces, and recreation, as well as climate are the criteria involved to determine the quality of life.

1. North Dakota

Best for: family recreation

Population: 774,948
Average monthly cost of living: $1,608

North Dakota offers a great quality of life for families. Outdoor activities are everywhere in North Dakota as the state features amazing open spaces, so it’s a good place for you to have a wonderful family experience. Regarding housing costs, rent in Dakota is relatively inexpensive. You can find an average rent of $818 per month, and the median home price is $285,107. North Dakota is also very safe, as the violent crime rate is low compared to most states. It’s also very affordable, as the average cost of childcare is around $9,000 per year, according to the state median salary.

(*Census.gov, Go Banking, Zillow, Apartments, USA Today & Livingcost.org)

North Dakota

2. Vermont

Best for: peaceful lifestyle

Population: 645,570
Average monthly cost of living: $1,965

Vermont has a solid reputation concerning education, it has the 4th most educated population in the country and offers a vibrant learning environment for kids. According to the World Atlas, Vermont is also unlikely to have a natural disaster. The Green Mountain State keeps a low crime profile compared to most states by being the second lowest in violent crime rates according to US News. The abundance of outdoor space and its reputation for being one of the most picturesque states makes it a great place to settle. It is also an affordable state compared to the first top three states as the median home price is around $295,000, average costs of rent is $995 a month and the cost of childcare is $12,000 according to the state’s median salary.

(*Census.gov, CNBC, Go Banking, FBI, Rent & Livingcost.org)

Vermont

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3. Minnesota

Best for: health and safety

Population: 5.707 million
Average monthly cost of living: $2,001

Besides the state ranking high for health and safety, a good word to describe Minnesota would be fun. There are many family-friendly activities to keep your family busy. Families in Minnesota enjoy playing soccer and hockey, fishing, and visiting one of their many beautiful lakes. Minnesota is also second behind Massachusetts as the state with the most educated people in the country. Meanwhile, the crime rates are the lowest in the Midwest area of the country and have the 10th lowest crime rate among all states, and they have excellent healthcare, being the 8th best state for public health according to US News. In Minnesota, the median house price is $297,269, and the median cost of rent is $1,252 a month.

(*Census.gov, CNBC, USA Today, Livingcost.org, The Center Square )

Minnesota

4. New York

One of the most attractive state

Population: 8.468 million
Average monthly cost of living: $2,848

“The Empire State” New York. According to a study conducted by Airport Parking Reservations, this is the tenth most attractive state in the country. Ultras (mountains higher than 1,500 meters), named mountains, national parks, waterfalls, big natural lakes, and beaches were all considered in the study. The United States’ first state park, Niagara Reservation, was established in New York, and the state was also the first to require license plates for automobiles. The Finger Lakes region of New York, situated between the central and western regions of the state, is a major tourist attraction. Every family outing will be fun and full of new and exciting things. Whilst the median rent costs over $3,000 in New York, and the median home price is $298,100, the average cost of childcare is lower than in some states: $15,394 according to New York’s median salary.

(*Zillow, Go Banking, $ Go Digit, Costofliving.org, Census.gov and Living Cost Org)

New York

5. New Hampshire

Best place for outdoors-loving families

Population: 1.389 million
Average monthly cost of living: $4,313

When it comes to the top ten states in the country for the most educated people, New Hampshire ranks seventh. New Hampshire is one of the three states with the lowest crime rates in 2018. New Hampshire is also much more affordable than some states like Massachusetts or New York, with a median home price of $381,000 and the cost of rent at $1,365 a month. Low crime rates and affordable home rates, considering the standard of living in the area, are some of the most alluring reasons to want to live in the state. The state also features great wilderness and is great for outdoors-loving families.

(*CNBC, Census.gov, Rent Data, Go Banking & Sofi)

New Hampshire

6. Connecticut

Affordable house pricing

Population: 3.606 million
Average monthly cost of living: $2,098

Connecticut is consistently ranked among the best states to raise a family. The level of education in the state is impressive. Connecticut is the 3rd-highest most educated state in the United States. The crime rate is below the national average. The state is also more affordable than many other states, for example has 50% lower housing costs than New York. It is also a state with some of the best rates for people owning master’s degrees and engineering doctorates. The median price of a home in this area is $385,000, with a monthly rent of $965.

(*Census.gov, Live in Connecticut, CNBC, Red Fin, Apartment Home Living & Livingcost.org)

Connecticut

7. New Jersey

Best for: cultural activities

Population: 9.267 million
Average monthly cost of living: $2,031

New Jersey ranks as one of the best states to raise a family, as education and schooling are crucial reasons why you should consider moving there. The state’s education system is outstanding and has one of the highest graduation rates at 90.6 percent. They also rank as the first state for pre-K–12 education, according to US News. The cost of childcare in the state is around $12,988, which is lower than many other expensive states. New Jersey is also spacious and has ample space for kids to play around. New Jersey also features great cultural activities and outings for families to go out and experience, which will keep your kids entertained and learning. The median price of a home in this area is $471,472, with a monthly rent of $458.

(*Census.gov, CNBC, Go Banking, RentCafe & Livingcost.org)

New Jersey

8. Utah

Best for young families

Population: 3.338 million
Average monthly cost of living: $3,114

Utah has several family-friendly places to visit as it offers great outdoor activities, like skiing during the winter months. Housing rent and home prices are about $1,651 and $493,221, respectively, in Utah. The state also ranks 11th in the education system in the country with a low crime rate compared to most states. Childcare costs just over $9,000, making it one the most affordable states amongst this list. The state also ranks 11th in the education system in the country with a low crime rate compared to most states.

(*Census.gov, CNBC, Go Banking, Zillow & Sofi)

Utah

9. Washington

Best for: career opportunities

Population: 7.739 million
Average monthly cost of living: $2,220

Washington offers many fantastic aspects of being a family-friendly state, including safe cities and neighborhoods, excellent schools, ample green spaces, great food, and safe and kid-friendly fun. You’re bound to find unique job opportunities in Washington. There’s also no tax on income in this state, which can be a big financial factor for many families. Washington also has strong industries in agriculture, aerospace, and IT sectors. A significant fraction of the population is educated, Washington ranks as the 9th state with the most educated people in the country. Also, you can enjoy family-friendly activities like going to the beach and discovering local boutiques. The median cost of property here is $567,000 and if you want to rent it will cost you $1,070 a month.

(*CNBC, USA Today, Rent Data, Redfin, Census.gov & Livingcost.org)

Washington

10. Massachusetts

Best for: education

Population: 6.985 million
Average monthly cost of living: $2,233

Massachusetts is one of the best states to raise a family as it’s the no.1 most educated state in the US according to CBS with its high percentage of highly educated citizens and quality schools and universities such as the famous Harvard or MIT. Meanwhile, housing in Massachusetts is indeed more expensive than in other states. Considering that the state’s jobs are high-paying, housing is fair with an average of $1,463 for rent per year with a median home price of about $533,000. The state offers great public and hospital per capita services, which means excellent quality of life for your family.

(*The Warren Group & Census.gov, 24/7 Wall St and Living Cost Org)

Massachusetts

Conclusion

All the states listed here are some of the safest and most educated states as a whole. They all offer a dynamic economic market and lots of opportunities for growth for your children and the rest of your family while each having a unique cultural life. Most of them have an affordable cost of living and housing options to consider. In the end, where you plan to move is up to you and your needs but we hope this article can help you in this important decision process.

Last year's ranking (2022)

1. Massachusetts
2. Minnesota
3. North Dakota
4. New York
5. Vermont
6. New Hampshire
7. New Jersey
8. Washington
9. Connecticut
10. Utah

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The expert

Mathieu Paquette

The author of this article also acts as MovingWaldo’s booking agent. Matt, is an accomplished relocation specialist with over 6 years of experience in the industry. Matt has earned a CAM certification (Canadian Association Of Movers), Tariff Certification (Atlas Van Lines), and has an extensive business background. Before handing off everything you own, do your due diligence… or let Matt do it for you.

Provide Matt with your move criteria. He will calculate quotes from verified movers, using the same metrics. This will make it simple to compare and book your move.