Published on: January 26, 2026, 08:44h.
Updated on: January 26, 2026, 08:44h.
- A recent study reveals Nevada ranks poorly for family upbringing
- Factors like education, cost of living, and divorce rates contributed to Nevada’s low standing
A recent report indicates that Nevada is one of the least favorable states for raising a family.
Analysts from WalletHub, a personal finance platform, recently evaluated the 50 states on their family-friendliness. Key metrics assessed included median household income, housing affordability, healthcare quality, crime statistics, and public school effectiveness.
In recent years, the financial burden of raising children has escalated significantly due to rising living costs. Estimates from the US Department of Agriculture indicate that nurturing a child until the age of 18 may cost a family approximately $320,000. Given the substantial responsibilities of parenthood, it’s crucial to reside in an area that balances affordability with quality healthcare, education, safety, and wealth of recreational opportunities,” stated Chip Lupo, analyst at WalletHub.
Additional criteria included childcare expenses and a “family-fun rank,” which considered the proportion of families with young children, the availability of local attractions such as amusement parks and recreational centers, as well as the percentage of children aged one to 17 living in neighborhoods with parks or playgrounds.
Low Rankings for Nevada
Massachusetts emerged as the top state for family raising, while Nevada—known for Las Vegas and often termed “Sin City”—ranked significantly lower.
The gaming capital of the nation occupied the 47th position out of 50 states, struggling with low ratings for health and safety (48), education and childcare (49), affordability (49), and socio-economic factors (50). Nevada also placed 49th in divorce and separation rates. However, it did achieve a notable 7th place for family fun.
Nevada’s total score of 36.78 was only higher than Mississippi (35.99), West Virginia (35.84), and New Mexico (32.69), while Massachusetts topped the list with a score of 67.60. Minnesota (63.1), North Dakota (61.6), Wisconsin (60.58), and Nebraska (60.41) completed the top five.
Notably, Nevada holds the record for the highest number of casinos. As of November, the Nevada Gaming Control Board reported 314 licensed gambling establishments in the state. Over the previous year, gamblers lost a staggering $15.82 billion in Nevada.
According to data from the United States Census Bureau, Nevada’s population stands at approximately 3.26 million, reflecting a 5.2% increase since 2020. The federal demographic data reveals that 5.2% of Nevada’s population is under five years old, with 21.1% under 18. Approximately 17.6% are aged 65 and older.
The median value of owner-occupied homes in Nevada is $406,100, while the median household income is around $75,600, slightly below the national average of $83,700.
Retirement Appeal
Although Nevada may not be the best state for raising families, in 2024, Zillow announced that Pahrump is the “top retirement city” in the United States.
Located just fifty miles from Las Vegas, Pahrump has become this year’s most favored retirement destination. With its warm climate and over one-third of its residents aged 65 and older, Pahrump presents an ideal community for retirees,” according to the Zillow report.
Casino.org has received numerous remarks regarding the attractiveness of retiring in Pahrump.