Study Ranks Oklahoma as one of the Worst States in the Country to Raise a Family

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Oklahoma ranks as one of the worst states in the country to raise a family, according to a new WalletHub survey.

WalletHub ranked the Sooner State 43rd on its 2023 report of the best and worst states to raise a family.

To determine the best states in which to put down family roots, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 51 key indicators of family-friendliness.

The data set ranges from the median annual family income to housing affordability to the unemployment rate.

Raising a Family in Oklahoma (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

• 26th – Child-Care Costs (Adjusted for Median Family Income)
• 33rd – Infant-Mortality Rate
• 30th – Median Annual Family Income (Adjusted for Cost of Living)
• 38th – Violent Crimes per Capita
• 43rd – % of Families in Poverty
• 27th – Unemployment Rate
• 45th – Separation & Divorce Rate
• 33rd – Percentage of Residents Aged 12+ Who Are Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19

WalletHub found that Massachusetts, Minnesota, and New York are the best states to raise a family in 2023.

West Virginia, New Mexico, and Mississippi sit at the bottom of the rankings.