Arizona among worst states in nation for raising a family, study finds
Jan 12, 2018, 4:50 AM | Updated: 10:22 am
(Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski)
(Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski)
PHOENIX — If you’re looking to start a family soon, Arizona may not be the best place for you.
According to a recent study from WalletHub, Arizona has ranked 40th in the nation for the best states to raise a family. The study also found that Arizona ranked 47th in the nation for childcare and 49th in affordability.
Dana Wolfe-Naimark with the Children’s Action Alliance said most families in Arizona need affordable and high-quality childcare, but are not getting it.
“Childcare can often cost more than a college education,” she said. “It can be one of the largest monthly expenses and can force families to choose low-quality childcare because they can’t afford what their kids deserve.”
Wolfe-Naimark said the high costs of childcare leave many children and families behind because they are struggling so much that they lose out on opportunities that all kids should have.
The only states that ranked more poorly than Arizona were Nevada, Georgia, Arkansas, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Louisiana, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi and New Mexico.
The best states in the nation to raise a family included Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, Wisconsin, New York, Iowa, Nebraska and California.
KTAR News’ Jeremy Foster contributed to this report.
