New Ranking Puts Illinois Among Best States for Families

The Surprising Rankings: Illinois as a Family Destination

You'd think with the constant complaints about the big cities in our fair state, Illinois would be considered one of the worst places to raise a family.

I guess those of us who champion the Land of Lincoln should take a small victory lap. That's because Illinois was just ranked among the ten best states to raise a family in America.

READ MORE: Illinois Family Traditions That Still Matter More Than Ever

WalletHub's Comprehensive Analysis Methodology

WalletHub just announced the 2026 rankings, comparing all 50 states using 50 factors, including education, child care, affordability, health, safety, and quality of life.

Top Contenders: Who Ranks Highest?

Massachusetts took the top spot, and besides Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, all landed in the top ten. Three different states in the Midwest are represented on the list in case you're keeping count.

READ MORE: Illinois Parents Admit the Biggest Mistakes They’ve Made Raising Kids

Category Insights: Illinois’ Strengths and Weaknesses

In separate categories, Illinois ranked highest in Family Fun, coming 3rd overall, but scored poorly in Socioeconomics, ranking 45th. Affordability and Education/Child Care ranked in the teens as well, helping boost the numbers to 9th overall.

The Bottom Line: States to Avoid for Family Life

In case you are wondering, the state considered the worst to raise a family in 2026 was New Mexico. You can see all the results, from the ten best to the ten worst, and all the states in between, HERE.