Best States for Working Parents, Ranked
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Let's be honest for a second. Parenting in today's world is not easy.
With no federal policy in place for paid leave, affordable childcare and fair work schedules, parenting in the U.S. is even harder. It's no wonder that a 2022 Ohio State University study reported that a whopping 66 percent of working parents in the U.S. suffer from parental burnout.
Luckily, some states are picking up the slack when it comes to making life easier for working parents. These are the five that do it best.
Bottom Line: Washington
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While Washington lands in the top 10 states with the highest cost of living, parents tend to make more with an average annual income of $75,698 a year.
Childcare costs are on par with the national average, but this state truly shines in its No. 13 ranking for public schools. Plus, it pays new mothers 90 percent of their income as part of the 12 weeks of paid maternity leave the state offers. Not bad.
4. New Jersey
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Average annual income: $78,700
Childcare costs (as percentage of income): 31%
Weeks of paid maternity leave: 12
Cost of living index score: 110.3
Public school rankings position: 1
Bottom Line: New Jersey
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Here's another state where the average annual income is helpful at almost $80,000.
Of the five states listed here, New Jersey has the highest childcare costs (at 31 percent of the average income), but 12 weeks of maternity leave and an impressive No. 1 public school ranking position are tough to find anywhere else.
3. Colorado
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Average annual income: $74,167
Childcare costs (as percentage of income): 30%
Weeks of paid maternity leave: 12
Cost of living index score: 106.9
Public school rankings position: 8
Bottom Line: Colorado
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Colorado's seemingly endless natural playground is reason enough for parents to want to move here.
But combine that with an impressive maternity leave policy (90 percent of a mother's income paid for 12 weeks) with its No. 8 public school ranking, and it's no wonder why families are moving here in droves.
2. Maryland
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Average annual income: $70,730
Childcare costs (as percentage of income): 22%
Weeks of paid maternity leave: 12
Cost of living index score: 114.8
Public school rankings position: 12
Bottom Line: Maryland
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Of the five states on this list, Maryland has the lowest childcare costs — which is good, considering it also has the lowest average annual income.
Like Colorado and Washington, though, Maryland offers an impressive paid maternity leave policy and ranks among the top 12 for public schools in the nation.
1. Connecticut
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Average annual income: $84,972
Childcare costs (as percentage of income): 25%
Weeks of paid maternity leave: 12
Cost of living index score: 113.9
Public school rankings position: 3
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