Report: Illinois Is the 21st-Best State to Have a Baby In

The cost of welcoming a new baby differs from state to state, but the average conventional delivery in the U.S. requires shelling out more than $15,700, and families with employer-sponsored insurance still pay nearly $2,600 out of pocket on average. Cost isn't the only factor expectant parents should consider, though.

“The best states for having a baby minimize costs while providing top-notch care for both newborns and their mothers,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “They also continue to be good environments for parents even long after the birth, with high-quality pediatric care, affordable and accessible childcare, and a strong economic environment that makes providing for a child easier.”

In-Depth Look at Illinois

Illinois displays some notable strengths for expectant mothers, including the fifth-best women's hospitals in the country for maternity care and the 10th-lowest rate of food insecurity among households with infants and toddlers. It also has the seventh-most fertility clinics per capita.

However, Illinois has room for improvement in other areas. For example, the state has the third-fewest childcare centers per capita in the country. In addition, it has the fifth-fewest mom groups and the seventh-fewest family doctors per capita.

How Illinois Ranks in Key Categories

• 28th for Cost
• 23rd for Healthcare
• 37th for Baby-Friendliness
• Ninth for Family-Friendliness

This puts Illinois in 21st place out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in WalletHub's study.

Best States to Have a Baby

The methodology can be found on the full version of the article on WalletHub.