GA is one of the worst states to raise a family in 2026, new study reveals. Here’s why

Despite the presence of around 4 million families in Georgia, new data reveals its one of the worst states to raise a family.

WalletHub recently published the Best and Worst States to Raise a Family in 2026 and based on 50 metrics across five categories, the state of Georgia is in the bottom ten.

Georgia is the 41st worst state for families

Georgia scored poorly due to middling affordability, spotty education access, and high poverty pockets that hit families hard.

Problem areas:

• Above-average child care costs
• Uneven school quality (especially rural)
• Safety metrics like higher crime rates in urban cores
• Lagging infant health outcomes 

How the ranking works

Researchers evaluated states on a 100-point scale across five categories, with lower scores indicating weaker performance.

The categories:

• Family fun 
• Health and safety
• Education and child care 
• Affordability 
• Socio-economics

Most and least family friendly states

Best states

• Massachusetts: 67.60
• Minnesota: 63.10
• North Dakota: 61.60
• Wisconsin: 60.58
• Nebraska: 60.41
• New York: 59.71
• Connecticut: 59.19
• New Hampshire: 58.12
• Illinois: 58.09
• Maine: 58.07

Worst states

• New Mexico: 32.69
• West Virginia: 35.84
• Mississippi: 35.99
• Nevada: 36.78
• Alabama: 38.50
• Louisiana: 38.71
• Arkansas: 38.82
• Oklahoma: 41.51
• South Carolina: 41.73
• Georgia: 42.86

Do you agree with these findings? Has Georgia been good for your family?