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.
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.
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.
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…