Find Out Which States Top The List For Family-friendly Living

Raising children is a noble and, as it turns out, an expensive activity. Some estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicate that it could cost around $320,000 to raise just one child to the age of 18. Imagine if you're planning a larger family!

The best states for raising children offer a number of important features. According to Wallet Hub, those states "combine affordability with safety, strong job opportunities, and access to quality education, healthcare, and entertainment."

Get our free mobile app

READ MORE: What is South Dakota's 2nd most popular destination?

In Wallet Hub's latest study, they evaluated all 50 states, looking at factors including median annual family income, housing affordability, healthcare quality, crime rates, and school performance.

The states that ended up in the Top 5 positions include:

1. Massachusetts
2. Minnesota
3. North Dakota
4. Wisconsin
5. Nebraska

South Dakota placed 11th in this study but showed up in 5th place in the affordable housing category, and Iowa came in first in that category, but came in 19th overall.

Minnesota has a lot going for it in this family-centered study; in addition to good pay, it also has good benefits, both financial and health-wise. "The state has the fifth-highest life expectancy at birth and the sixth-best public hospitals in the country."

READ MORE: What will Sioux Falls look like in the year 2100?

Also, families stay together in Minnesota, as it has the 5th lowest separation and divorce rate in the country. Harvard research indicates that kids have better chances at life when they come from a two-parent family.

You can see this complete study at Wallet Hub.