These are the best states to raise a family, new report finds - USA Today

Choosing where to raise a family involves more than finding a house with enough bedrooms or a neighborhood with good schools. Childcare expenses, access to health care, public safety and opportunities for children can also play a major role in determining where families put down roots.

Some states are doing better than others when it comes to providing those resources, according to a new report ranking the best places to raise a family in 2026.

The annual study from Consumer Affairs, a consumer news and research website, evaluated all 50 states across five categories, including affordability, safety, education, health care and quality of life. While one region dominated the top of the rankings, states from other parts of the country also earned spots among the nation's best.

So which states offer families the strongest overall conditions, and which ones fell to the bottom of the list? Here's what the report found.

Connecticut took the top spot in Consumer Affairs' 2026 ranking, climbing from sixth place the previous year. The state ranked among the top five in safety, health care and public education. It also has a low violent crime rate and 154 pediatricians per 100,000 children. Connecticut has invested in early childhood education, establishing a permanent funding source in 2025 and this year announcing an additional $320 million investment.

Seven of the 10 highest-ranking states are in the Northeast. Wyoming was the only Western state to make the top 10, while Virginia and Iowa represented the South and Midwest.

Several states earned recognition for specific advantages. Maine had the lowest violent crime rate among the states studied, at one crime per 1,000 residents. Massachusetts ranked first for public education, while Wyoming had the lowest average annual full-time childcare cost among the top 10, at $12,285. Iowa also stood out for affordability, with average annual grocery spending of $2,973 per resident, the lowest among the top 10.

Alaska ranked last overall, placing among the bottom seven states for affordability, safety and education. However, the state performed well in quality of life, earning the second-highest score nationally in that category.

The report found that the lowest-ranking states faced different challenges. Alaska struggled with affordability, while New Mexico and Colorado ranked poorly for safety. Arizona and Louisiana also had some of the weakest public education performances.

Consumer Affairs evaluated all 50 states using five weighted categories worth a combined 100 points.

Affordability accounted for the largest share, with 30 points, followed by safety (25), education (20), health care (15) and quality of life (10).

Researchers considered factors such as childcare and grocery costs, rental prices, child tax credits, violent and property crime rates, school performance, access to pediatricians, child poverty and the availability of parks and public libraries.

The analysis used data from several organizations and government agencies, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Child Care Aware of America.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on X @athompsonUSAT