Kids aren't cheap. Even a conventional delivery at a U.S. hospital costs an average of $10,002, according to the International Federation of Health Plans. In addition to medical costs, the insurance and maintenance fees you have to shell out over the lifetime of a child add more to the tab.
WalletHub.com recently analyzed all 50 states (and the District of Colombia) based on budget, health care and baby-friendly environment to determine the best and worst states to have a baby in 2015. Check out the gallery below to see if your state is ranked in the top 10.
10. Alaska
1 of 11The Last Frontier would've had a legitimate shot at the top spot if it didn't finish next to last in the budget ranking. Fortunately for Alaska, it ranked sixth in health care and second in baby-friendly environment. Who knew babies and moose got along so well?
9. Iowa
2 of 11"If you build it, they will come."
In this instance, the "it" refers to child centers. Iowa has the fourth-highest number of facilities per capita. The Hawkeye State also has the lowest infant mortality rate in the nation.
8. Wyoming
3 of 11Aside from having the fourth-highest number of midwives/OB-GYNs per capita, Wyoming didn't rank near the top in many categories. But the Equality State consistently notched above average ranks, just enough to land the state at No. 8 overall.
7. Maine
4 of 11The Pine Tree State tied Maryland with the second-lowest hospital conventional-delivery charges in the country. Maine also ranked in the top 10 for health care.
6. Kentucky
5 of 11Kentucky earned the No. 1 spot in the budget category, but ranked 33rd in health care and 20th in baby-friendly environment.
5. Minnesota
6 of 11Despite having a low number of child centers per capita and high average annual infant-care costs, the Land of 10,000 Lakes ranked highly because of its fifth-place health care ranking.
In an unrelated note, Minnesota did take first place for "Coolest Welcome Sign."
4. Hawaii
7 of 11Apparently babies love a good luau, because Hawaii garnered the top spot in baby-friendly environment. The Aloha State also ranked near the middle for its health care and budget.
3. Oregon
8 of 11Oregon takes the bronze when it comes to having a baby. The Beaver State only ranked 38th in terms of budget, but a 14th place finish in the baby-friendly environment category and the No. 2 health care ranking helped Oregon finish in the top three.
2. North Dakota
9 of 11North Dakota is one of the most consistent states, as it ranked 14th in health care and 10th in budget and baby-friendly environment. The upper Dakota also boasts the second lowest hospital cesarean-delivery charges and the lowest hospital conventional-delivery charges in the U.S.
1. Vermont
10 of 11Vermont is the only state with top five finishes in more than one category, ranking No. 5 in baby-friendly environment and No. 1 in health care. The Green Mountain State also has the third lowest infant-death rate, the second highest number of midwives/OB-GYNs per capita, and the highest number of pediatricians and child centers per capita in the nation.
Discuss This Article