If you’re looking for the best places in America to raise a family, consider these states, a new study shows.

The study, conducted by Birth Injury Lawyers Group, a law firm specializing in birth injury cases, analyzed data from all 50 states using 16 criteria in four categories: health and safety, education and child care, affordability and socioeconomic aspects, to determine the best and worst states for raising a family.

“States that make maternal and child health a top priority – as demonstrated by low uninsured rates, access to specialized care, and low infant mortality rates – provide a safer environment for families welcoming a new baby,” the group said in a statement. It added, “Choosing a state that makes families a top priority is a critical step in protecting the health and well-being of mothers and newborns.”

Massachusetts is considered the best state for starting a family

According to the study, Massachusetts ranks first as the best state for starting a family with a score of 77.14.

FILE: Father with son. (Image credit: NARINDER NANU/AFP via Getty Images)

According to the data, the state excels in several key areas. The state received a health and safety score of 82.27, only 1.5% of children are uninsured, and the state has a robust network of 117.5 certified pediatricians per 100,000 children.

The state also scored highly in education and childcare, as well as socioeconomics due to its low unemployment rate of 2.9%.

“Massachusetts sets the bar high for family-friendly living, making it an extremely attractive location for families seeking a diverse and enriching environment,” the legal group continued.

Vermont secured a close second place with 76.54, while North Dakota took third place with a score of 75.75.

Study: The 10 best states to start a family

1. Massachusetts

2. Vermont

3. North Dakota

4. Minnesota

5. New Hampshire

6. South Dakota

7. Iowa

8. Maine

9. Utah

10. Pennsylvania

Nevada is the worst state for starting a family

Nevada was ranked as the worst state for raising a family with a score of 49.57, indicating challenges for families.

The state scored poorly in the area of ​​health and safety with a score of 53.49, due to limited access to quality healthcare and high crime rates. The state also scored poorly in the areas of education and childcare, affordability and socioeconomics.

“Nevada’s high crime rate and less emphasis on public health infrastructure make the state less ideal for raising children,” the group added.

The lowest scoring states were Louisiana with 52.37, closely followed by Mississippi with 52.59.

Study: The 10 worst states to start a family

1. Nevada

2. Louisiana

3. Mississippi

4. California

5. Arkansas

6. New Mexico

7. Texas

8.South Carolina

9. Arizona

10. Alabama

Earlier this year, another report analyzed the best places in America to raise a family.

According to Niche, a website that helps people find good schools and neighborhoods to live, the 20 best places to raise a family in 2024 were all in Pennsylvania, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Indiana and Ohio.

RELATED: The best places to start a family in 2024, according to this report

It’s unclear why the top 20 list landed in the same few states, but Niche said it combined millions of user reviews with data from the U.S. Census Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create the rankings.