Why Indiana is Still Among the Worst States to Welcome a Newborn in 2025

There’s a popular saying that goes, “If you wait until you’re ready to have kids, you’ll never have them.” And honestly, most parents would agree – there’s no perfect time, and nobody’s totally ready. But if you’re planning to grow your family, where you live can make a pretty big difference, and some places make the whole baby thing a little easier than others.

So, How Did Indiana Rank in 2025?

WalletHub just released its 2025 rankings of the Best & Worst States to Have a Baby, and while we Hoosiers always hold out hope… let’s just say Indiana still has some work to do.

Out of all 50 states (plus D.C.), Indiana came in at #39 – or to put it another way, the 13th least ideal state to welcome a new little one. That’s not exactly something to brag about, but it’s the same ranking as last year, so at least we’re not getting any WORSE.

ALSO READ: This Deadly Indiana Plant is Found in Nearly Every County in the State

Breaking Down Indiana’s Baby Scores

• Cost of Having a Baby: #16 – Not bad! Indiana is relatively affordable when it comes to delivery, early childcare, and insurance costs.
• Health Care: #45 – This is where we struggle. Things like infant mortality rates and access to quality hospitals need major improvement.
• Baby Friendliness: #32 – Includes access to childcare centers and support groups for new moms and dads.
• Family Friendliness: #35 – Covers things like family leave policies and community support.

ALSO READ: FBI Urges Indiana Residents to Stay Vigilant as ‘Jugging’ Crimes Spread

Which State is the Best (and Worst) Place to Have a Baby?

Want some perspective? Massachusetts ranked #1, while Mississippi came in last at #51. As for our neighbors: Kentucky ranked 30th, and Illinois came in strong at #19.

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Check out the FULL REPORT to see all of the data - you can also scroll over the map below to see how the rest of the country scored.