California’s unemployment rate does not bode well for states in which to raise a family

With families looking for a fresh start once the COVID-19 pandemic dies down and moving becomes practical, WalletHub today released its report on 2021’s Best & Worst States to Raise a Family.

To determine the best states in which to put down family roots, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 52 key indicators of family-friendliness. The data set ranges from the median annual family income to housing affordability to the unemployment rate.

Raising a Family in California (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

  • 7th – % of Families with Young Children
  • 47th – Child-Care Costs (Adjusted for Median Family Income)
  • 5th – Infant-Mortality Rate
  • 49th – Median Annual Family Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
  • 39th – Violent Crimes per Capita
  • 32nd – % of Families in Poverty
  • 50th – Housing Affordability
  • 48th – Unemployment Rate
  • 13th – Separation & Divorce Rate

Raising a healthy, stable family sometimes requires moving to a new state. And the reasons for moving are often similar: career transitions, better schools, financial challenges or a general desire to change settings. Wants and needs don’t always align in a particular state, though, according to Adam McCann of WalletHub. For instance, a state might offer a low income-tax rate but have a subpar education system. However, families do not need to make these kinds of tradeoffs. They can avoid such problems by knowing which states offer the best combination of qualities that matter most to parents and their kids.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has made moving difficult at the moment, a vaccine is on the horizon. Hopefully by late 2021, families can start considering moving to a state that will better fit their needs and desires.

For the full report, click here.

Image Sources

  • Family: Pixaby