California has long been seen as a place where people go to build a future—an engine of innovation, a cultural beacon, and a state whose opportunities have shaped generations. But according to a new nationwide analysis, it may no longer be an ideal place to begin a family.
A new study from Ivy Surrogacy ranks California the No. 15 worst state to start a family, citing affordability pressures, education challenges, and overall cost of living as major obstacles. The full report, Best and Worst States to Start a Family, is available here:
The findings come at a pivotal moment. The U.S. fertility rate fell to 1.6 births per woman in 2024, the lowest in history. As younger Americans delay or opt out of parenthood, researchers point to three major factors driving the trend: soaring housing prices, concerns about safety, and uncertainty about the cost and quality of childcare and education. California embodies many of those pressures more acutely than most states.
“At a time when the nation is wrestling with how to support the next generation, California’s cost structure places enormous strain on families who might otherwise want to put down roots here,” the report’s authors noted.
California’s Strengths—and Its Vulnerabilities
California did perform well on several healthcare and child-wellness metrics. The state has one of the lowest rates of uninsured children under 19 (3.1%, No. 10) and a top-tier life expectancy of 78.3 years (No. 10). Access to pediatric care is also strong, with 82.4 pediatricians per 100,000 children (No. 12)—a sign that families who can afford to raise children in the state often benefit from high-quality medical support.
California’s safety indicators, while mixed, are not among the nation’s worst. The state ranks No. 19 for homicide rates and No. 27 for vehicle fatality rates, placing it near the middle of the pack. And while graduation rates are solid at 87% (No. 19), academic performance—measured by 4th and 8th grade reading and math scores—lands California at No. 40, one of its weaker outcomes.
But the largest hurdle for California families is unmistakable: affordability.
The state ranks No. 50, second worst in the nation, for both cost of living (index 142.3) and median home price divided by median income (7.9). “California’s housing crisis is not just a socioeconomic issue—it’s a fertility issue,” one researcher noted. “Couples are doing the math and realizing they can’t comfortably raise a child in many parts of the state.”
A National Picture—and Why California Matters
Nationally, Ivy Surrogacy identifies a strong regional pattern in family-friendliness. All of the top 10 best states to start a family are clustered in the Midwest or Northeast. Meanwhile, nine of the 10 worst states are located in the West or the South—regions facing affordability pressures, lower education metrics, or higher rates of violent crime.
In a striking finding, Washington D.C. ranks No. 1 worst overall, driven by high childcare costs, low academic performance, and safety concerns.
California’s No. 15 worst ranking places it in the bottom third of states, but not among the very worst. Its position signals that the Golden State is still competitive on several quality-of-life metrics—but affordability alone is enough to drag it far down the list.
For a state with nearly 40 million residents and one of the largest populations of young families in the country, the implications are significant. California’s ability to attract, retain, and support future generations has direct consequences for its long-term workforce, tax base, and economic vitality.
Experts say the state’s biggest opportunity is to address affordability head-on. Measures that ease housing costs, support affordable childcare, and strengthen public education would significantly improve California’s ranking—and make family life more attainable for the millions who want to stay here.
A Changing Landscape for American Families
As the nation confronts record-low fertility rates, studies like this one highlight the systemic challenges facing young Americans. For California, the path forward may depend on its willingness to close the gap between aspiration and affordability.
For now, Ivy Surrogacy’s ranking paints a clear picture: California remains a state of promise—but for families hoping to build a future, the price of that promise has never been higher.
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