WalletHub recently released a listing of the best and worst states to have a baby, according to hospital delivery charges. (Photo: Getty Images)
Having babies come with all kinds of expenses. Before the baby’s born, parents must buy the crib and a car seat. After birth, they’re hit with hospital delivery charges.
Some parents will pay more than most.
WalletHub, a personal financial website, released a listing of which states are the best and worst for having a baby, based on expenses.
The states where parents escape with the most money still in their wallets are Vermont, Massachusetts, North Dakota, Rhode Island and Minnesota.
The states where parents can expect the highest hospital bills are Mississippi, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Related: Parenting is hard enough: Here are the worst American cities to raise children
What the report measured
WalletHub’s report compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia by evaluating cost, health care accessibility and baby-friendliness. The data looked at measures like conventional delivery charges at hospitals, annual average infant-care costs, pediatricians per capita, midwives per capita and infant mortality rates.
Worst states to have a baby
- 51. Mississippi
- 50. Alabama
- 49. South Carolina
- 48. Louisiana
- 47. Oklahoma
- 46. Georgia
- 45. Arkansas
- 44. Nevada
- 43. Florida
- 42. West Virginia
Best states to have a baby
- 1. Vermont
- 2. Massachusetts
- 3. North Dakota
- 4. Rhode Island
- 5. Minnesota
- 6. New Hampshire
- 7. Washington
- 8. Colorado
- 9. Connecticut
- 10. Utah
An average conventional birth is about $10,000, according to The Economist.
More interesting findings
Mississippi may rank as one of the worst states to have a baby, but it has one on the lowest average annual costs for early child care, $3,192, which is 4.9 times lower than in the District of Columbia, with the highest at $15,515.
Massachusetts has the highest parental leave policy score. Nine states, including South Dakota, Alabama and Michigan tied for the lowest at 0.
The District of Columbia has the most obstetricians and gynecologists (per 100,000 residents), 25, which is 25 times more than in Oklahoma, the fewest at 1.
Alaska has the lowest childbirths with low birth weight at 6.19 percent, which is 1.9 times lower than in Mississippi, which had the highest at 11.60%.
View the full report to see how your state scores in categories of delivery charges, infant care cost, baby friendliness, family friendliness and more.
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