Massachusetts is the best U.S. state to raise a family for the fourth year in a row: 'The school system is excellent,' expert says

A January report from WalletHub compared the 50 U.S. states to determine which one is the best to raise a family.

The report found that the best states combine affordability with safety, strong job opportunities and access to quality education, healthcare and entertainment.

To rank all 50 states, WalletHub evaluated them across five key dimensions:

WalletHub used 50 relevant metrics, including shares of families with young children, pediatricians per capita, quality of public schools, and housing affordability — each graded on a 100-point scale — to determine which states had the most favorable conditions for family life.

The report found that raising a family has become significantly more expensive, as the cost of living continues to rise. It can cost a family as much as $320,000 to raise a child to age 18, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.