Best State to Raise a Family: Surprising Winners and What Sets Them Apart

• Jul, 22 2025
• 0

If you’re hunting for the perfect spot to plant roots and raise your kids, you might be surprised—the top state for families isn’t always the one hogging the limelight. Sure, media darlings like California and New York have their pull, but when you look past the stereotypes and dig into cold, hard numbers, a different picture pops up. Families want more than glitzy cities and famous beaches. We’re talking about safe neighborhoods, good schools, manageable costs, and plenty of stuff that keeps weekend boredom from creeping in. So where’s the sweet spot to settle down and give your kids their best shot at a happy, well-rounded childhood? Let’s break it down.

Defining What Makes a State Great for Families

It’s easy to say you want the "best" for your family, but what does that even mean in real life? For some, it’s all about getting into a good public school system. For others, it’s being able to afford a house without eating instant noodles for a decade. Most parents want a place where their kids can play outside without worry and where family activities don’t require a second mortgage. So let’s lay out the main things that experts and everyday moms and dads watch for when picking the top state: education quality, safety, healthcare access, cost of living, job opportunities, and community vibe.

Every year, groups like U.S. News & World Report, WalletHub, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation dig into all sorts of family-friendly metrics. They compare states on standardized test scores, graduation rates, crime stats, median family incomes, childcare costs, air quality—pretty much everything you can think of. If you look at 2025’s numbers, these sources agree: the Midwest and New England are major hot spots for families. Surprised? Maybe, but let’s get into the “why.”

Take schools, for example. States like Massachusetts and Minnesota consistently rank at the top for public education—not just for graduating high schoolers, but for locking in early childhood education and special programs. Safety matters just as much. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine have some of the lowest violent crime rates in the country. Then there’s healthcare: according to the CDC, kids in the upper Midwest are more likely to have regular pediatric access and fewer hospital visits for things like asthma and diabetes.

Affordability is another beast—one that quickly kills the dreams of moving to sunshine-soaked coasts. WalletHub’s 2025 research showed that housing costs eat up less than 25% of household income in much of the Midwest, compared to 35-50% in California, New York, and Hawaii. Strong jobs, especially in tech, healthcare, and education, keep families secure in places like Iowa and Nebraska. For parents working remote or in hybrid roles, these states offer fast internet and co-working spaces, meaning you’re not stuck in your basement for every Zoom call.

Community is the glue tying it all together. Small and mid-size cities—think Madison, Wisconsin or Overland Park, Kansas—offer recreation leagues, community pools, and libraries with actual programming for families. These towns walk the talk, throwing family movie nights, arts fests, and easy access to hiking trails. A 2022 Pew Research survey showed parents in Midwestern and Northeastern states reported the highest satisfaction with kids’ extracurricular and social opportunities. All this rolls up into happier, healthier family routines.

Why Massachusetts Tops the List for Families in 2025

All things considered, Massachusetts nabs the top spot again as the best state to raise a family right now. This isn’t just my take—every major report, from U.S. News & World Report to WalletHub, lands here. What’s so special about the Bay State?

First, no state matches Massachusetts when it comes to public education. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—think "the Nation’s Report Card"—puts Mass. at the very top, with test scores for reading and math that outshine every other state. Students have access to advanced placement (AP), STEM, arts, and robust special ed support. Even in smaller towns, schools get strong funding and keep class sizes manageable. It’s not rare here for even suburban schools to have robotics clubs and student journalism programs. Parents who want academics and enrichment don’t need a private school tuition bill.

Safety scores high, too. The FBI’s 2024 stats show Massachusetts property crime rates have dropped every year since 2017 and now sit 30% below the national average. Community policing, strong school resource programs, and local crime-watch groups play a role. Even bigger cities like Boston manage to keep family neighborhoods insulated from higher-risk areas. And on the health front, you’re not going to find a state with better children’s hospitals—Boston Children’s Hospital regularly tops U.S. News rankings, but even smaller Worcester and western Mass. hospitals have top pediatric care, mental health support, and pediatric emergency units.

Of course, none of this matters if you can’t afford it. While the Boston housing market is famously pricey, many Massachusetts communities offer affordable alternatives. Places like Worcester, Leominster, and Peabody have average home prices nearly half of Boston’s and median family incomes high enough to keep homeownership within reach. WalletHub’s 2025 report showed childcare costs as a percentage of income consistently lower than in most coastal metros. Cities and suburbs offer plenty of family-sized rentals, too, with state oversight on tenant rights and decent rental protections.

Here’s a quick look at how Massachusetts stacks up compared to national averages:

On top of all this, the "family fun" factor is massive. Between zoos, museums, historic sites, and epic outdoor trails, there’s something for every type of family. It’s common for local recreation centers to offer classes in art, music, swimming, and even coding for kids, all subsidized in part by the state. Summers bring farmer’s markets, science fairs, and community concerts. Winters? Think first-class sledding and ice skating right in local parks.

Underrated Runners-Up: States You Shouldn’t Overlook

Sure, Massachusetts is the undefeated champ, but it’s far from the only place where kids and parents thrive. If you want lower housing costs or milder winters, you’ve got solid choices. The Midwest puts up a strong fight, with places like Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa quietly checking all the boxes for family priorities and then some.

Take Minnesota. Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," it really shines on physical health, safety, and education all in one package. Minneapolis suburb Eden Prairie is often voted one of the best cities for families, period. The public school system lands in the top five nationally, and the local parks department offers year-round sports leagues, biking trails, and free outdoor concerts. Even in the coldest months, families hit up indoor aquatics centers and top-rated libraries. The cost of living feels like a breath of fresh air compared to the coasts, with average home values hovering at $362,000—less than half of what you’d pay for a similar home in the Bay Area.

Nebraska and Iowa score high for family togetherness and small-town charm. These states have trusted public schools, low crime stats (Omaha and Des Moines both have violent crime rates almost 40% lower than the national average), and communities that go out of their way to include neighbors. Volunteer-run sports leagues, county fairs that actually draw crowds, and a real chance at knowing teachers and sheriffs on a first-name basis make a difference. Local taxes stay reasonable, yet parks and public facilities get solid funding. For parents who like to unplug with their kids, outdoor adventure is never far away—river kayaking, camping, or sledding in winter months.

Up in the northeast, Vermont is another hidden gem. It doesn’t have the population of a Massachusetts or the deep pockets of a Connecticut, but it punches way above its weight for safety, school quality, and healthy lifestyle. Burlington, the biggest city, has a vibrant downtown and festivals galore. Rural areas are peaceful, with community-run afterschool programs and quick access to the outdoors. Vermonters seem to know everyone in town, making it easy to swap babysitting, trade hand-me-downs, and count on neighbors in a pinch.

Curious about how other contenders stack up? Here’s a look at four strong alternatives, using the same key metrics:

No matter which state you target, these winners share a secret: they deliver on the basics—education, safety, health, and community—without the drama, skyhigh prices, or iceberg-sized commutes that frustrate so many families elsewhere. They keep weekends interesting and weekdays manageable for parents and kids alike. If you want to dodge big city headaches, consider these under-the-radar options for family life that actually feels good.

Tips for Making the Most of Family Life—Wherever You Land

Of course, even moving to the "best" state on paper isn’t a magic bullet. Almost every family struggles to settle in, find the right neighborhood, and create that sense of home. So whether you’re already in Massachusetts or mulling a cross-country adventure to Nebraska, here are some realistic, battle-tested pointers to smooth your way.

• Visit neighborhoods at different times. Go during rush hour, on a weekend, and after dark. You’ll learn a lot more watching kids play, seeing commuters return, and catching what stores and parks get crowded.
• Dig into school data—then call the principals. Numbers are great, but a quick phone chat or email exchange with the school office gives you a real sense of the vibe. Ask about afterschool programs, parent involvement, and how they handle support for kids who struggle.
• Check local Facebook groups or apps like Nextdoor. You’ll spot the real "mom and dad grapevine"—find out if folks help each other out, swap tips, and keep an eye on each other’s kids.
• Prioritize walkability and recreation. Kids don’t remember the house as much as the park, pool, library, or ice cream shop within scooting distance. Be honest about how far you’re willing to drive every day for sports, friends, or groceries.
• Don’t ignore mental health resources. Look for nearby therapists, youth centers, or social workers. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Vermont shine in this department—but in smaller states, see if you’ll need to drive to find support for your kid or yourself.
• Talk to employers about flexibility. Many "family friendly" states have growing work-from-home opportunities or flexible schedules—especially important if you want to make it to soccer practice or deal with sick days without stress.
• Get hands-on with the community. Help at yard sales, join the PTA, sign your kids up for activities, even if it feels awkward at first. Local roots grow much quicker this way compared to staying behind a screen.
• Keep a backup plan. You can always rent before buying or give yourself a year to try out a neighborhood. Don’t put all your eggs in one zip code basket until you know it fits.

The biggest takeaway? Where you live can make life easier or heavier—but no state fixes every problem for every family. Still, jumpstarting your search in Massachusetts or its underrated rivals gives you a huge leg up. And if you add some groundwork—talking to locals, checking schools, and walking neighborhoods—you stack the odds in your favor for a home life that feels safe, fun, and just right for your crew.