Family Friendly: What Is the Best State to Raise a Family?

You’re thinking of moving to a better place for your family. Maybe you’re looking for a new job and wondering which is the best state to raise a family. Or perhaps you have one and want to make sure the new state makes the quality cut for you and your brood.

To determine the best states to raise a family, there are obvious factors to consider, like quality schools, affordable higher education, safety, parks, community and interesting activities.

Also important but not as obvious is your happiness. Because as research continues to show, parental stress can wreak havoc on children. But happy, content parents that are thriving themselves can pass that onto their kids.

In other words, the best state to raise your family is likely to be the state where you are happiest—where your basic needs are met, like a comfortable income, safety, nice community and friends, and the basics like good schools for your kids so you don’t have to worry.

But if you’re a city dweller and want to be in New York or California, don’t fret. These can be great states even if Utah has the lowest-cost higher education.

Cost of Living

If an affordable cost of living would suit your fancy so you and your family can live comfortably without money stress, consider some of the most affordable states to live in. The top five in 2019 are Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and New Mexico.

And if you are looking to live in a bigger city, Michigan and Georgia made the top ten. Wyoming is also on the list if you want to be surrounded by space and the majesty of the great outdoors where your kids can run and play freely.

Safety

You want your family to be safe. You want your kids to play outside without worry. You want to walk along Main Street at night getting an ice cream with the kids after dinner in comfort and style.

Consider the safest states in 2019. The top five are Minnesota, Vermont, Maine, Utah, and Connecticut, according to the World Population Review.

Jobs

Consider the top states with job growth in 2019. At the top of the list are Virginia, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Missouri and New Hampshire.

Great Schools

Consider the states with the top school in the U.S. You can look at top school districts and top high schools. The top three high schools per U.S. News are in South Carolina, Maine and Arizona, for example.

Pick the Best State to Raise a Family for You

There are so many factors to look at when considering the best states to raise a family. Unless you’re bound by a job and don’t have the liberty to go where you like, start by prioritizing what you consider important and what will make you as parents happy. That will include amazing things for your kids but in a way that lets you be a family stress-free too.

Once you narrow it down, go and look at the states and cities you like best firsthand. Find yourself a good local real estate agent in each spot and visit some potential homes while you’re there to get a real feel for the place.

Talk to people you meet, check out some local eateries, look at the schools and get a real feel for the place. You can use this simple way to compare realtors to save time and get a vetted professional that can help you find the best agent for you and your family.

Go See Some States

Now that you have some tips and a plan to find the best state to raise a family for you, go enjoy some visits to find your new home.

Keep reading our blog for more family friendly lifestyle info and tips for all the favorite parts of your life—home, tech, food and more.