WalletHub put together a panel of experts to analyze which U.S. states rank best and worst for working parents. Pulling data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Child Care Aware of America, the panel determined which states give working parents perks like shorter workdays and better health care—and which come up short. You can read the full report and an explanation of the methodology here.
Where does your state rank?
Best
Minnesota 2 of 11
Minnesota tops the charts for both working moms and working dads with the second highest overall score for its citizens' economic and social well-being. Minnesota is bounding with professional opportunities for mothers and has the highest health ranking for working dads.
Vermont
3 of 11
Vermont is the top-ranked city for working mothers with the fifth-highest work-life balance rating and third-highest childcare rating. Dads don't have it so bad in Vermont either. Working dads must spend their free time playing outside with the kids because they have some of the highest health scores in the country.
Connecticut
4 of 11
While Connecticut doesn't have as many job opportunities for working moms, families still manage to maintain a very high level of economic and social well-being. Moms and dads that do work in Connecticut live longer, healthier lives and spend a lot of time out of the office.
New Jersey
5 of 11
Don't want to have to worry about your kids while you're at work? New Jersey is the place to be. While you might be spending a little more time at your desk than at home, New Jersey ranked the best for childcare in the U.S.
Massachusetts
6 of 11
If you want to raise a big family and accomplish your professional goals, Massachusetts could be the perfect state for you to do it. The home of the Super Bowl champs ranks third in child care, second in working dads' health and very high in economic well-being.
Worst
Nevada 7 of 11
It might be located in the desert, but Nevada isn't doing so hot in terms of creating a great climate for working parents. Nevada has some of the highest childcare costs and ranks among the worst states for work-life balance.
Mississippi
8 of 11
Mississippi ranked dead last for working dads' life expectancy, and it could be because working parents are spending too much time behind a desk and not enough at home. Mississippi has the worst work-life balance score of any state in the U.S.--but on the bright side, they have very low childcare costs.
Louisiana
9 of 11
While Louisiana residents are doing fine in terms of economic well-being, working parents might want to think twice about relocating to this southern state. Louisiana ranks among the worst states for working parents with one of the worst day care systems in the nation and one of the highest wage gaps for men and women. Plus, they rank last in job opportunities for mothers.
Alabama
10 of 11
Alabama ranks poorly across nearly every category analyzed by WalletHub, with unsatisfactory day care systems, wide wage gaps and poor health for working dads.
West Virginia
11 of 11
West Virginia bottoms out the rankings for both working dads and working moms with low life expectancy for men, a low work-life balance rating, minimal professional opportunities and poor child care systems.
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