Those deciding where to raise their families have a lot to consider. Good schools? Check. Quality health care? Check. Affordable cost of living? Check.

For the fourth year in a row, Massachusetts was named the top state in which to raise a family, according to a recent study by personal finance website WalletHub. However, the state comes with one very sizable catch. The Bay State has the third most expensive homes in the nation.

The analysts at WalletHub looked at 50 metrics across five categories: family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability, and socioeconomics. Massachusetts came in first for education and child care.

Six of the top 10 states for parents were in the Northeast, and the rest were in the Midwest.

“Massachusetts ranks first in large part because it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and lots of job opportunities,” WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe said in a statement. “Residents also have high enough incomes to make up for the expensive cost of living. The Bay State is renowned for its education quality and ranks at the top when it comes to school systems.

“Plus, Massachusetts is better for children’s health than most states, with the best water quality in the country and a low infant mortality rate,” she said.

However, the median home price in the Bay State was $749,450 in November, according to the most recent data from Realtor.com®. That’s about 44% more than the national median of $420,000.

On the other end of the list were the worst states in which to raise families. Seven were in the South and two in the Southwest.

New Mexico was last on the list, ranking 50th for education and childcare, 49th for health and safety, and 48th in affordability. It had the lowest family median income.

“When choosing a place to live, families should consider which states offer a setting that meets their needs and aligns with their values,” Kendal Holtrop said in a statement. She is an associate professor of human development and family studies at Michigan State University.

“Factors such as cost of living and economic opportunity may be the most salient to some families,” she said. “Others may prioritize the legislation and political context of a state. Personal considerations, such as being close to family or wanting a certain type of climate, are also an important part of this decision.”

The best states for raising a family

1.  Massachusetts
2. North Dakota
3. Minnesota
4. Nebraska
5. New York
6. Maine
7. New Hampshire
8. South Dakota
9. Rhode Island
10. Vermont

The worst states for raising a family

1. New Mexico
2. Mississippi
3. West Virginia
4. Alabama
5. Arkansas
6. Louisiana
7. Nevada
8. Oklahoma
9. South Carolina
10. Arizona

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