Arizona is a fast-growing state. Here’s what to know
Arizona may not be one of the oldest states, but it still has a long history. Here’s what to know about the 48th state in the nation.
The Republic
Some states make raising a family feel like a breeze — affordable living, great schools, safe neighborhoods and plenty of ways to keep the kids entertained. Others? Not so much.
A recent analysis by WalletHub, a personal finance website, compared the 50 states across 50 key indicators of family-friendliness to determine where families may thrive or struggle.
The study reveals that raising a child has become increasingly expensive, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimating it costs over $300,000 to raise a child to age 18, not including college expenses.
“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 healthcare, education, safety, and opportunities for enrichment,” said Chip Lupo, WalletHub Analyst.
So, how did Arizona rank in this analysis? And where are the best and worst places for raising a family? Here’s a breakdown.
Top 10 best states for families
WalletHub’s analysis incorporated five dimensions: family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability, and socio-economics. Each category was graded using a combination of 50 weighted metrics, such as crime rates, public school quality, housing affordability and median family income. The overall scores determined the state rankings, highlighting the diverse factors influencing family life across the U.S.
According to WalletHub’s findings, these states rank highest for family-friendliness:
Massachusetts: A top performer in education and safety, Massachusetts also offers high job security and quality health care.Minnesota: Known for its strong job market and health outcomes, it also provides ample recreational activities.North Dakota: Affordable housing and low unemployment make this state appealing.Nebraska: High rankings in education and safety contribute to its family-friendly environment.New Hampshire: Offers excellent safety and educational opportunities.New York: While costly, it excels in family fun and socio-economics.Illinois: A mix of family entertainment options and decent education rankings.Wisconsin: High scores in safety and education.Maine: Known for safety and access to quality healthcare.Connecticut: Strong education system and good affordability.Top 10 worst states for families
At the other end of the spectrum, these states performed poorly:
Arizona: Struggles with affordability and education despite its fun factor.South Carolina: Low safety and education rankings.Louisiana: High poverty rates and low healthcare quality.Arkansas: Affordability issues and a weak education system.Alabama: Safety and healthcare challenges.Oklahoma: Among the lowest in education quality and childcare accessibility.Nevada: Poor education system and low health rankings.West Virginia: Struggles with safety and economic conditions.Mississippi: Lowest health and safety scores.New Mexico: The worst-ranked state overall, hindered by poor education, health outcomes, and economic instability.Is Arizona a good state to raise a family?
Arizona ranked 41st overall, landing near the bottom of the list. It struggled in several key categories:
Health and safety: Ranked 40th, indicating significant room for improvement in crime rates, healthcare quality, and environmental factors like air and water quality.Education and child care: The state came in at 48th, reflecting lower performance in school quality and accessibility to affordable childcare.Affordability: Arizona also ranked 48th in this category, signaling high housing costs relative to income and limited paid family leave policies.
Although Arizona ranks 41st, it has some standout cities when it comes to strong family bonds. A recent survey found that five Arizona cities were among the 150 nationwide with the tightest family connections. Phoenix ranked highest at No. 44, followed by Tucson at No. 74. Smaller cities often lead in family closeness, but Arizona bucks the trend with its larger cities performing well. Cultural values, a strong sense of community, and the role of grandparents are key factors that strengthen family bonds in Arizona, with technology helping but also creating some challenges in maintaining communication.
On a brighter note, Arizona ranked 10th for Family Fun, suggesting it offers abundant recreational opportunities and attractions for families.
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Publish date : 2025-01-15 00:02:00
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