Louisiana Ranks Among Worst States to Raise a Family in 2026

(KMDL-FM) - A new national report ranking the Best & Worst States to Raise a Family in 2026 isn't great news for Louisiana. Granted, it is tough for parents everywhere these days with the reported cost of raising a child to age 18 exceeding $320,000, according to the personal-finance company WalletHub.

How WalletHub Ranked the States

In crafting the rankings, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness, including median annual family income, housing affordability, health care quality, crime rate, and school quality.

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The report includes expert commentary, to highlight the states that are affordable, safe, well-educated and enjoyable for families to live. Unfortunately, Louisiana is not one of those states.

Where Louisiana Falls on the List

Overall, Louisiana ranks as the 45th worst state to raise a family in 2026. Below are some of the key findings and rankings for the Bayou State (1 = Best; 25 = Average):

• 16h - % of Families with Young Children
• 29th - Child-Care Costs (Adjusted for Median Family Income)
• 46th - Infant-Mortality Rate
• 47th - Median Annual Family Income (Adjusted for Cost for Living)
• 46th - Violent Crimes per Capita
• 49th - % of Families in Poverty
• 22nd - Housing Affordability
• 42nd - Unemployment Rate
• 48th - Separation & Divorce Rate

For the full report from WalletHub, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-raise-a-family/31065

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Why Raising a Family Is Getting More Expensive Nationwide

“Raising a family has become significantly more expensive in recent years as the cost of living has risen quickly. In fact, it can cost a family as much as $320,000 to raise a child to age 18, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture," said Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst. "In light of the expensive nature of being a parent and the responsibility it entails, it’s important to live in a city that is affordable while still providing quality health care, education, safety and opportunities for enrichment.”