If you’re considering starting a family, Massachusetts is the top choice, according to WalletHub’s latest ranking.
WalletHub, a personal finance company, has released its annual list of the best states for having a baby. Massachusetts has secured the top position this year.
The ranking considered several factors, including cost, healthcare accessibility, and family-friendliness.
“Top states for having a baby manage costs effectively while delivering excellent care for both mothers and newborns,” said a WalletHub analyst.
Why Massachusetts Ranks Highest
Massachusetts earned its top spot primarily due to its low infant mortality rate and the fourth-lowest maternal mortality rate in the country. The state’s exceptional performance in healthcare, cost, and family-friendliness categories contributed to its high ranking.
Additionally, Massachusetts boasts some of the nation’s best neonatal hospitals, which significantly supports its high score. Other contributing factors include low rates of food insecurity among households with infants or toddlers and strong paid leave policies for parents.
New England States Also Rank Well
Besides Massachusetts, other New England states also scored well in the ranking. Rhode Island is ranked fourth, followed by New Hampshire in fifth. Maine and Vermont are positioned seventh and eighth, respectively, while Connecticut is ranked 15th.
Criteria for Ranking
WalletHub’s ranking was based on four main factors: cost, healthcare, baby-friendliness, and family-friendliness. Each factor was broken down into categories, such as hospital delivery charges, average annual child care costs, and average health insurance costs.
States were scored on a scale up to 100, with higher scores indicating better rankings. Massachusetts achieved a score of 73.12, placing it at the top of the list.
