Based on metrics such as average annual cost of early child care, health insurance premium cost, infant mortality rate, parental-leave policies and several more, the best state to have a baby is Vermont.
The Green Mountain State came out on top in the health care rank and boasts the country's lowest infant-mortality rate, most pediatricians and family doctors per capita and the most child care centers per capita. Massachusetts and Minnesota followed.
Southern states ranked the worst on the list. Mississippi, No. 51 overall, had the second-highest infant mortality rate, followed by Alabama, which was No. 50 overall. Louisiana (No. 48) and Mississippi both ranked among the states with the fewest midwives and On-Gyns per capita. Oklahoma and Georgia fared slightly better, at Nos. 47 and 45, respectively. Florida is No. 39 on the list.
Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas were relatively in the middle of the list, at Nos. 22, 26 and No. 35, respectively.
Washington state made the top 15 in the list overall, at No. 11.
The full list can be seen at WalletHub.com.
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