What is the safest state to raise a family?

The safest states to raise a family consistently feature New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, and Maine, often topping lists due to low violent crime, high quality of life, good education, and strong economies, though affordability varies. New Hampshire excels in low crime, while Massachusetts leads in overall family metrics, and North Dakota offers great affordability and jobs, making these New England and Midwestern states prime choices for family safety and well-being in 2025 reports.

What is the safest state to raise kids in?

Massachusetts

Massachusetts tops the rankings as the best state to raise a family, with an impressive score of 77.14. The state excels in several key areas, making it ideal for families. Health & Safety: With a score of 82.27, Massachusetts prioritizes the health of its youngest residents.

What is the best state to move to with a family?

The safest states for children are Maine, Vermont, Minnesota, and Utah, thanks to their low crime rates, strong investments in education, and high-quality healthcare systems. These states consistently appear among the safest states to raise a family nationwide.

Where is the safest place in the USA for families?

• Massachusetts ranks as the best state for raising a family due to multiple essential factors. ...
• New Hampshire ranks second. ...
• North Dakota ranks third among the best states for raising a family due to affordability and safety. ...
• Vermont ranks high among the best states to raise a family.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as it depends on the study, but recent reports often name Massachusetts, Vermont, or New Jersey as #1 for Quality of Life, with Massachusetts leading in overall metrics (health, education) and Vermont shining in specific areas like low crime and natural environment. Other top contenders include Idaho, Minnesota, and New York, highlighting that rankings vary based on whether they emphasize healthcare, economy, safety, or environment. 

10 best states for raising a family: You won't believe what we found

What is the happiest state to live in the USA?

Hawaii is the happiest state in America—again: People there are 'happy with life' and have 'little financial anxiety,' expert says. WalletHub recently released its ranking of the happiest states in the U.S.

Which state is worth moving to?

The study found the best states to move to are Utah, New Hampshire, Idaho and Virginia. According to the list, worst states to move to are California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oregon.

What are the top 3 safest states?

The top 3 safest states consistently ranking high in 2025 reports are Vermont, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, followed closely by Maine, with these Northeast states leading due to low crime, good economic factors, and overall personal security, according to analyses from WalletHub and other sources. 

Which state has the happiest kids?

Massachusetts (FHI: 75): Massachusetts has the highest index for children's health and well-being at 77.8. Massachusetts residents have to spend a larger part of their income on childcare, but the statistics show strong families, with a lower divorce rate of 2.75.

What is the cheapest but safest state to live in?

For the best combination of cheap and safe, consider states like Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas, which consistently rank high in affordability (low housing, groceries, overall cost of living) while also offering manageable safety, with Vermont and New Hampshire often topping pure safety lists, though they are pricier. The ideal balance depends on whether you prioritize the lowest cost (Mississippi) or strong safety (Vermont), with Midwestern/Southern states generally offering lower expenses and Northern/New England states often leading in safety metrics. 

What state is financially best to live in?

States like Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas consistently rank among the lowest in cost of living, with lower housing, healthcare, and daily expenses. These locations may appeal to retirees looking to stretch their income.

What state is family-friendly?

1. Massachusetts – A Leader in Education and Safety. Massachusetts often tops lists of family-friendly states thanks to its exceptional education system and safe communities.

What is the #1 state people are moving to?

While it varies slightly by source, North Carolina and South Carolina are consistently ranked as the #1 or #2 most popular states people are moving to in 2024-2025, often followed by Tennessee, Florida, and Alabama, driven by affordability, job growth, lower taxes, and quality of life, especially in the Southeast. 

What is the least kid friendly state?

Top 10 Least Safe States for Children in 2023

1. West Virginia – Child Unsafety Score: 99. Maltreatment reports: 5,949 per 100K. ...
2. Mississippi – Score: 98. ...
3. Arkansas – Score: 96. ...
4. New Mexico – Score: 86. ...
5. Missouri – Score: 84. ...
6. Indiana – Score: 82. ...
7. Louisiana – Score: 80. ...
8. South Carolina – Score: 78.

What is the most peaceful state in the USA?

Maine consistently ranks as the most peaceful U.S. state due to low violent crime rates, low incarceration, and high personal safety, often followed by New Hampshire and Vermont, while the Northeast generally leads in peacefulness over the South, according to indices like the US Peace Index.
 

Which country is the most child-friendly?

• New Zealand. #1 in Family-friendly. #9 in Best Countries Overall. ...
• Spain. #2 in Family-friendly. #19 in Best Countries Overall. ...
• Canada. #3 in Family-friendly. ...
• Norway. #4 in Family-friendly. ...
• Finland. #5 in Family-friendly. ...
• Ireland. #6 in Family-friendly. ...
• Sweden. #7 in Family-friendly. ...
• Italy. #8 in Family-friendly.

Which state has the nicest people?

There's no single "nicest" state, but studies and surveys often point to Minnesota, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, and Wyoming as top contenders for friendliness, based on factors like tourist impressions and acts of kindness. Other states like Hawaii, Iowa, and parts of the South (like Kentucky, North Carolina) are also frequently praised for their welcoming and kind residents, though perceptions of niceness can vary by individual and region.
 

Who is statistically the favorite child?

While parents often claim to love all children equally, research suggests they subtly favor certain types of kids, often the youngest child, daughters, and those who are more agreeable, conscientious, or share parental values, though the "favorite" can shift based on personality, life challenges, or who fits the parents' needs at the time, creating complex family dynamics. 

Why are Dutch kids happier?

Dutch kids are often ranked as the world's happiest due to a culture emphasizing independence, low academic pressure, freedom of movement (biking!), and strong social safety nets that support parents, allowing children more autonomy, less stress, and more time for play and social skill development. Key factors include less homework, less performance-driven schooling, parents encouraging self-sufficiency, and a societal structure that enables kids to bike and walk to school and friends' houses from a young age.
 

What state is #1 in crime?

Alaska and New Mexico consistently rank as having the highest violent crime rates in the U.S. according to 2024 data, with Alaska at the very top for overall violent incidents per capita, followed closely by New Mexico, with other states like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana also facing high rates. While some sources mention high overall crime rates in the District of Columbia (though not a state) and states like Colorado, Alaska leads for violent offenses. 

Which U.S. state is best to live in?

There's no single "best" US state, as it depends on priorities, but Massachusetts, Utah, New Hampshire, and Idaho frequently rank high for overall quality, economy, health, and safety, while Hawaii leads in happiness, and states like Iowa excel in infrastructure, but budget-conscious individuals might favor states like Alabama or North Dakota for their economy. Your ideal state depends on factors like job market, housing costs, climate, and lifestyle, with different studies highlighting various strengths, notes Reddit users and Careers in Government. 

What is not the safest state to live in?

Louisiana ranks as the most unsafe state with a 36.20 safety score and the nation's highest murder rate at 14.4 per 100,000 residents. Mississippi follows at 36.77, and Texas ranks third least safe at 38.14.

What's the prettiest state to live in?

The most beautiful states to live in often feature diverse landscapes, with California, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Colorado consistently topping lists for stunning coasts, mountains, deserts, and national parks, alongside the raw wilderness of Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming, and the unique charm of New Mexico, Maine, and Vermont, offering everything from red rocks to lush forests.
 

What is the cheapest but best state to live in?

The best affordable states to live in consistently include Southern and Midwestern options like Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and West Virginia, known for low housing costs, low taxes (sometimes), and lower overall cost of living indexes compared to the national average, though job opportunities and specific amenities vary, with some states offering strong sectors in manufacturing, healthcare, or logistics. 

Which state is best for foreigners in the USA?

Best Places to Live in the USA For Expats

• Texas: No state income tax and reasonable prices. ...
• Florida: No Income Tax and Warm Weather. ...
• Washington: No State Income Tax and Technology Opportunities. ...
• South Dakota: Low Taxes and Safety. ...
• Colorado: High Quality of Life and Outdoor Activities.