Non-governmental organization “Consumer Affairs” conducted an evaluation in December last year of the 50 states in the United States and Washington D.C. Among the states most suitable for raising a family, Vermont, Maine, and Pennsylvania ranked top three, while California and Texas ranked at the bottom.
The evaluation covered five categories – affordability, safety, education, pediatric healthcare, and quality of life, but different aspects may be more important to different individuals. The top five states were Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and Wyoming.
Vermont excelled in quality of life (1st), pediatric healthcare (6th), education (6th), and safety (8th), while ranking 33rd in affordability. The state boasts the highest average number of libraries per capita in the country (one library for every four thousand people), ranks second in the number of national and state parks per capita (8.5 parks per 100,000 residents), and has a low violent crime rate.
Vermont ranks 3rd in air quality. Trevor Summerfield, the spokesperson for the American Lung Association in the state, stated, “The levels of harmful air pollutants here are very low, making it one of the most livable places.”
Maine ranks 3rd in quality of life, 6th in safety, 13th in education, 16th in affordability, and 33rd in pediatric healthcare. The state has the lowest violent crime rate in the country, making it a top choice for parents concerned about their children’s safety. The state’s natural beauty and numerous outdoor activities are also attractive, with the renowned Acadia National Park offering scenic coastlines and family-friendly hiking trails.
Pennsylvania ranks 5th in education, with a public high school graduation rate of 96%, which is second in the country. The state ranks 10th in pediatric healthcare and safety, 19th in affordability, and 34th in quality of life. The state has an average of 147 pediatricians per 100,000 children in Pennsylvania. The state budget for 2024-2025 includes increases in funding for K-12 public education and higher education to enhance equitable distribution and special education, as well as to increase scholarships for community colleges and universities.
New Hampshire ranks 1st in safety, 2nd in quality of life, 4th in pediatric healthcare, 16th in education, and 41st in affordability. It is the safest state in the country with the 3rd lowest violent crime rate and the lowest property crime rate. The state ranks 2nd in air quality, 3rd in the number of national parks per capita (7 parks per 100,000 residents), and 5th in the number of public libraries per capita (16 libraries per 100,000 residents). The state also has a robust pediatric healthcare support system, with the second-lowest infant mortality rate in the country, with 76% of children receiving regular preventive care and dental care, and 98% of children having health insurance.
Wyoming ranks 7th in affordability, 9th in safety, 10th in quality of life, 11th in education, and 48th in pediatric healthcare. The state’s biggest attraction lies in its lower cost of living, with an average annual childcare cost of $8,737, the lowest among the top five states, and the lowest rate of children in poverty at 5%. The state boasts a high school graduation rate of 94%, ranking 9th in the country.
Wyoming ranks 10th in air quality, making it a top choice for families seeking affordability and a slower-paced lifestyle. However, the state’s healthcare system faces challenges, ranking near the bottom across all states; although 91% of children have health insurance, around 14% of families struggle to afford their children’s medical expenses.
In terms of affordability, the top three states are South Carolina, South Dakota, and West Virginia. The last three states (49th to 51st respectively) are Washington D.C., Hawaii, and Massachusetts.
In safety rankings, the top three are New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Rhode Island; while the bottom three are Washington D.C., Louisiana, and New Mexico.
The top three states in education are Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey; the bottom three are New Mexico, Alabama, and Arizona.
For pediatric healthcare, the top three states are Washington D.C., Massachusetts, and Rhode Island; while the bottom three are South Dakota, Mississippi, and Texas.
In terms of quality of life, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine occupy the top three spots; Nevada, California, and Washington D.C. rank at the bottom.
According to Consumer Affairs, the five states at the bottom in terms of raising a family are mostly located in the western and southern regions of the United States, facing challenges in education and quality of life. The states from 47th to 51st are California, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada.
California ranks 17th in pediatric healthcare, 32nd in education, 40th in safety, 46th in affordability, and 50th in quality of life; the state’s poor ranking is primarily due to high child poverty rates, poor air quality, and dense population with fewer libraries.
Texas ranks 50th overall, 15th in affordability, 40th in education, 45th in safety and quality of life; it also ranks poorly in pediatric healthcare with the highest proportions of uninsured children and families struggling to afford children’s healthcare insurance costs.
New Mexico ranks 49th, 18th in affordability, 25th in pediatric healthcare, 40th in quality of life, 49th in education, and has the worst safety ranking in the country.
Choosing the most livable place means considering quality of life and various aspects that affect children’s growth. Sheel Jagani, Director of Special Populations Education at the Texas Education Agency, stated that hidden costs of living include differences in housing, food, clothing, childcare, insurance, etc., across different regions; educational resources include community support systems like recreation centers, children’s libraries, as well as extracurricular resources like sports and arts programs.
Founded in 1998 by Jim Hood, a senior executive, editor, and reporter at the Associated Press, the headquarters of “Consumer Affairs” in Oklahoma is an American consumer review and news platform, providing decision-making information during significant life changes. In 2010, the company was acquired by current CEO Zac Carman, shaping its brand based on customer complaints. ◇