Here’s Why Minnesota Is A Top State For New Parents

Having a baby is one of life's most important decisions. It can also be a very joyful, yet stressful experience, because let's face it - having a child can be expensive.

Another Wallet Hub study is out, and this one distills down a lot of numbers about having babies. This time, they are letting us know that birthing costs can vary widely depending on where you are and what the cost of living is.

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They had 4 basic categories for their research - Cost, Health Care, Baby Friendliness, and Family Friendliness.

Within those categories, they considered things like health insurance premiums, the cost of both a conventional and cesarean delivery, infant and maternal mortality rates, food security, quality of women's hospitals, prenatal care access, parental leave policies, and much more.

After they crunched the numbers, it turns out that Minnesota is the third‑best state in the U.S. to have a baby. Only Massachusetts and North Dakota scored higher.

One major reason is that Minnesota has the second‑lowest health insurance premiums in the nation, averaging about $355 per month.  It also boasts the second‑lowest maternal mortality rate and a very low infant mortality rate—one of the top rankings in the country.

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Parents here have access to strong healthcare: Minnesota ranks among the top states in terms of doctors per person—like nurse‑midwives, obstetricians, and pediatricians. That means moms and babies can get medical care quickly and easily.

Minnesota also offers excellent quality child‑care services. A high percentage of its child‑care centers are nationally accredited, putting it near the top in the nation for safe and supportive care options.

All of these factors—low costs, strong healthcare, and high-quality child care—come together to make Minnesota a great place to start a family. That’s why it ranks third when it comes to welcoming newborns.

To see the complete study, go to Wallet Hub.