Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
Last year, PennLive highlighted a study that crowned Pennsylvania as one of the top states to raise a family. PennLive is now proud to report that the state has maintained its high family-raising status. Once again conducted and published by ConnsumerAffairs, the study ranked Pennsylvania as the 10th overall best state to raise a family. However, it should be noted that it dropped as the 2024 third place titleholder. ConsumerAffairs determined Pennsylvania’s ranking — along with those of the other 49 states — after grading each across five main categories: “Affordability,” “Safety,” “Education,” “Health Care,” and “Quality of Life.” “Even though Pennsylvania dropped from third place last year, it remains a strong contender for families in 2025,” the report explains. “It particularly shines in the health care category, ranking 12th overall. “Here’s the breakdown: Pennsylvania’s 147.4 pediatricians per 100,000 children, the sixth-lower percentage of children not receiving preventative care (25.9 percent) and the 10th-lowest percentage of families who struggle to pay for their children’s medical bills (8.1 percent). The state also stands out for its low violent crime (2.7 crimes per 1,000 people) and strong public education (10th).” Taking Pennsylvania’s place this year in third was Wisconsin. Maine ranked in second and then New Hampshire, first. “The Granite State might not be the most exciting nickname, but New Hampshire has a lot more to offer than a slab of rock,” the report states. “New Hampshire ranked fourth in our list from 2024 but overtook Pennsylvania, Maine and Vermont this year to claim the top spot. “New Hampshire boasts a low rate of violent crime (1.1 crimes per 1,000 people), a low rate of childhood poverty (seven percent), low food costs (an average of $371 per week) and a whole lot of state parks and libraries (6.6 and 15.6 per 100,000 people, respectively). All of this made it 2025’s top state to raise a family in.”
