MA Ranks Second In US For Raising A Child

Bringing a life into this world sure isn't cheap, but if you do it in Massachusetts you should at least be well taken care of.

WalletHub released a report Monday of the most ideal states to have a baby in. Massachusetts ranked second, behind only Vermont, thanks to its elite health care and top-notch 'family-friendliness.' The cost, however, leaves a lot to be desired.

The Bay State shined in a few of the 26 metrics WalletHub used to generate the rankings. The state has the third-lowest infant mortality rate and the third-most pediatricians and family doctors per capita, both behind Vermont and New Hampshire. Massachusetts also ranks in the top 10 for parental leave and the amount of midwives and OG-BYNs.

Now, the bad news. It probably won't shock current parents that Massachusetts is tied for the highest average annual infant-care costs.

While WalletHub didn't give an estimated cost, Child Care Aware of America corroborated its finding. Massachusetts has the highest cost of family child care for infants is in Massachusetts at an astounding $20,125 per year as of 2016, according to the child care advocacy group. That was 17 percent of a married couple's median income - and 70 percent of a single parent's.

Massachusetts also had the most expensive toddler care, with parents spending more than $18,000 a year. And for pre-school for 4-year-olds? Massachusetts parents spend more than $14,000 a year for that, too.

Rosanna Hertz, a professor of sociology and women's and gender studies at Wellesley College, told WalletHub there are plenty of ways state and local governments can help ease the burden.

"1. Subsidize daycare or offer free daycare. 2. Offer paid parental leaves and longer parent leaves - at least 6 months. And understand that as more women become single mothers they will not have the help of another pair of hands. 3. Offer assistance with eldercare. 4. Local governments could set up hotlines to help families find daycare slots and eldercare programs."

Image via shutterstock