New Study: Best & Worst States to Have a Baby

Having a baby is both a joyful and stressful occasion – but the stress side is more amplified in 2025 as inflation pushes the cost of adding an extra family member higher and higher. One of the biggest expenses to keep in mind is medical bills. The average conventional delivery in the U.S. costs over $2,600 with insurance, and without insurance it could cost nearly $15,000.

Birthing costs, however, won’t hit your wallet as badly in some states as they will in others. Expenses can vary significantly, considering the wide disparities in cost of living. They can also differ from one pregnancy to another, given that some women experience delivery complications. There’s more to think about than just cost, though. Some states provide better quality health care services and better environments in which to care for children. 

To determine the most ideal places in the U.S. to have a baby, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 31 key measures of cost and health care accessibility, as well as baby- and family-friendliness. Our data set ranges from hospital conventional-delivery charges to annual average infant-care costs to pediatricians per capita. 

“The best states for having a baby minimize costs while providing top-notch care for both newborns and their mothers. They also continue to be good environments for parents even long after the birth, with high-quality pediatric care, affordable and accessible child care, and a strong economic environment that makes providing for a child easier.”

Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst

In-Depth Look at the Best States to Have a Baby

Massachusetts 

Massachusetts is the best state to have a baby, in large part because it has the third-lowest infant mortality rate in the country and the eighth-lowest maternal mortality rate. It also has the best neonatal hospitals in the country (for premature births or babies with health problems). 

The Bay State has the sixth-lowest share of households with infants or toddlers experiencing food insecurity, and the second-highest share of children under three years old with all seven recommended vaccines. 

In addition, parents in Massachusetts benefit from the best leave policies in the nation after the birth of a child. You can also take advantage of parenting programs that are covered by Medicaid. 

To top things off, in addition to being the best state for having a baby, Massachusetts is also the best state for raising a family. 

North Dakota

North Dakota is the second-best state to have a baby, with low costs being a major factor. The state has the lowest costs in the country for a conventional delivery with no complications, at an average of just $7,500. For comparison, in the most expensive states, that can cost you as much as $27,000. North Dakota also has the second-lowest costs for a conventional birth with complications, and the fourth-lowest cesarean section costs. 

The cost savings don’t stop at the hospital, either. North Dakota also has the third-lowest average hourly rate for a babysitter in the country, at just $17.56. In addition, the state has the ninth-most child care centers per capita and fifth-most mom groups per capita, giving plenty of options for care and support.

Finally, North Dakota continues to be a great state for raising a family long-term, ranking as the third-best in the country. 

Minnesota

Minnesota is the third-best state to have a baby in, partly because it has the second-lowest health insurance premiums in the nation, at $355 per month. It also has high quality care, leading to the second-lowest maternal mortality rate in the country and the 15th-lowest infant mortality rate. 

In addition to high-quality medical care, Minnesota also has a large number of medical professionals. The state has the 10th-most nurse midwives, 12th-most obstetricians and gynecologists, and 14th-most pediatricians per capita, giving parents lots of choices and potentially helping them get seen quicker. 

Lastly, Minnesota has the fourth-highest share of child-care centers that are nationally accredited, and it ranks second among the best states for raising a family.