The most affordable US states for parents-to-be if you don't want to break the bank
With inflation driving up healthcare costs and childcare prices hitting all-time highs, WalletHub has ranked all 50 states (plus Washington D.C.) to reveal where new parents are most - and least - likely to get a financial break.
The average conventional hospital delivery in the U.S. costs over $2,600 with insurance and up to a staggering $15,000 without it.
But as the report shows, costs - and care - vary wildly across the country.
Some states offer top-notch neonatal care, family support programs and affordable delivery costs, while others fall drastically behind.
WalletHub's analysts evaluated states across 31 metrics, including hospital charges for births, infant mortality rates, parental leave policies, food insecurity, childcare availability, and overall cost of living.
States were scored in four key areas: cost, healthcare, baby-friendliness, and family-friendliness.
So where's the best place to bring a baby into the world in 2025?
Massachusetts: Best for birth and best for raising a family
Massachusetts topped the charts - and not just because of its picturesque New England charm.
The Bay State ranked #1 overall, thanks to its outstanding hospitals, generous parental leave policies, and high vaccination rates for children under three.
It boasts the lowest infant mortality rate in the country, access to top neonatal care, and was ranked #1 in healthcare overall.
Parents can also breathe a sigh of relief knowing the state has Medicaid-covered parenting programs, the second-highest vaccination rates, and one of the lowest rates of food insecurity among families with infants and toddlers.
And it doesn't stop there - Massachusetts is also ranked #1 for family-friendliness, making it just as great for raising children as it is for welcoming them into the world.
North Dakota: Cheapest place to give birth
Coming in at #2 overall, North Dakota dominated the affordability rankings.
It's #4 for cost and boasts the lowest average price for a conventional birth without complications - just $7,500, compared to a high of $27,000 elsewhere.
The state also has some of the lowest C-section rates and second-lowest complicated birth costs.
Childcare is refreshingly affordable, with babysitters averaging just $17.56 an hour - the third-lowest in the nation.
North Dakota also shines when it comes to access, with ample child care centers and mom support groups per capita.
It ranks #3 for family-friendliness, making it a smart pick for budget-conscious families looking for long-term stability.
Minnesota: Best for healthcare savings
Minnesota snagged third place, driven by exceptional healthcare and some of the nation's lowest insurance premiums - just $355 per month on average.
Expectant mothers benefit from the second-lowest maternal mortality rate in the U.S., and the state ranks high in availability of OB-GYNs, pediatricians, and nurse midwives.
It also has one of the largest shares of nationally accredited childcare centers - a reassuring stat for working parents.
Overall, Minnesota earned the #2 spot for family-friendliness, behind only Massachusetts.
And at the bottom…
Meanwhile, states at the bottom of the list offer little relief - financial or otherwise.
Mississippi was ranked dead last in overall score, with dismal healthcare rankings (50th) and poor family-friendliness stats (49th).
Alabama came in 50th, and Nevada, South Carolina, and Georgia rounded out the bottom five.
Experts warn: Don't bank on a smooth ride
Experts say one of the biggest mistakes new parents make is being overly optimistic - and unprepared.
Dr. Taryn Morrissey of American University warned that many couples underestimate the costs, complications, and emergencies that can arise with pregnancy and childcare.
'We tend to believe that we're less likely to experience negative events than others,' she said.
'Things like 'Other people have complications during childbirth, but that won't happen to us.'
Dr. Jennifer Lansford, a distinguished public policy professor at Duke University, emphasized that one of the most immediate financial considerations is childcare in the early years - something often overlooked in baby budgeting.
'As the only high-income country without federal paid parental leave, responsibility in the United States falls to individual parents to determine if they can afford to take time off work to care for an infant or young child and to consider the costs of childcare if they will be working outside the home,' she said.
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