Single Mom Friendly States 2024

There are a lot of single mothers who are looking to do the best job they possibly can for their children. Even though being a single mother can be a significant challenge, there are plenty of states out there that provide single mothers with the support they need to provide their children with the best life possible. When trying to find the best possible state for a single mother, there are several factors to consider. Examples include the overall cost of living in the area, the time it takes for moms to commute to and from work, the average cost of childcare, and the average annual income for people in the state.

What Is the Best State for Single Moms?

For many years in a row, Florida has been noted as a great place for single mothers. In particular, Naples is one of the happiest, healthiest cities in the country, making it a great location for single mothers to raise their children. The average cost of childcare is relatively low, and the unemployment rate in the area is also low. That means it should be easy for a single mom to find work and locate childcare for their children. Naples also has warm weather, which is great for people who enjoy sunshine. Of course, there are plenty of fun activities in Naples as well. Examples include the Naples winter wine festival and the dozens of art galleries in the city.

State	Final Score
California	67.10
Massachusetts	58.50
Vermont	57.30
Connecticut	55.20
Utah	55.00
Colorado	50.40
Alaska	50.10
Minnesota	50.10
Washington	49.50
Maine	48.30

Is North Carolina a Great State of Single Moms?

North Carolina is also a great state for single mothers. North Carolina is growing quickly, which means there is a very healthy job market for everyone who is looking for a job. There are also plenty of entertainment options in North Carolina, including college sports and professional sports. The overall cost of living is still relatively low in North Carolina, particularly in Asheville, Charlotte, and Raleigh. Even though North Carolina does not have a very strong public school system for children, it has some of the best universities in the country, and they are all relatively affordable. Therefore, North Carolina could be a great location for single mothers.

What Other States Are Great for Single Moms?

There are plenty of other states that could be great for single mothers as well. For example, Kansas is often overlooked, but it is a great place for single moms. The average commute is relatively short because the traffic is light. The average cost of housing and childcare is also very low in Kansas. Many people also enjoy living in Alabama. The cost of living in Alabama is very low, and the commute to work is relatively short. Furthermore, Alabama has some coastline, so it is great for families that enjoy the beach. It is important for single mothers to think about all of these factors when they are trying to decide the best location for them and their children.

State	Final Score	Income Score	Average Single-Parent Family Income	Affordability Score	Average Commute Time (Minutes)	Average Hours Worked Per Week
California	67.10	82.00	$60,235	54.90	30	38
Massachusetts	58.50	67.50	$56,794	37.30	30	37.9
Vermont	57.30	61.00	$46,374	70.30	24	37.9
Connecticut	55.20	73.10	$58,529	39.00	27	37.9
Utah	55.00	75.70	$53,774	59.90	22	37.1
Colorado	50.40	82.90	$57,896	47.30	26	38.9
Alaska	50.10	98.20	$59,797	61.50	20	41
Minnesota	50.10	78.70	$55,094	36.10	24	38.1
Washington	49.50	75.90	$56,506	23.10	28	38.4
Maine	48.30	61.50	$45,812	71.60	24	38.5
North Dakota	48.00	71.60	$49,771	58.10	18	39.8
Rhode Island	46.20	67.40	$52,281	15.10	25	37.9
New Jersey	45.50	73.60	$59,049	21.80	32	38.4
South Dakota	44.10	49.40	$43,050	59.10	17	39.6
Montana	43.90	65.00	$46,667	34.90	19	38.5
New York	43.90	60.20	$52,328	24.10	33	37.8
District of Columbia	43.50	36.90	$50,882	35.50	31	39.8
New Hampshire	43.50	87.60	$58,724	35.50	27	38.5
Wyoming	43.30	56.30	$44,788	46.70	18	39.2
South Carolina	43.10	35.40	$38,616	84.90	25	38.9
Wisconsin	42.90	62.70	$46,744	43.50	22	38.6
Oklahoma	42.20	42.60	$38,879	70.00	22	39.3
New Mexico	42.00	42.50	$38,928	57.10	23	38.1
Oregon	41.70	69.90	$50,461	28.90	24	37.9
Idaho	41.10	64.80	$46,633	28.80	21	38.4
Maryland	40.50	86.10	$61,416	44.60	32	38.8
Kansas	40.40	50.10	$43,271	47.70	20	39.2
Hawaii	40.30	82.40	$57,965	21.60	27	38
Tennessee	39.70	41.50	$40,768	70.50	25	39.3
Nevada	39.60	72.70	$50,185	22.80	24	38.7
Virginia	39.40	67.10	$53,555	46.40	28	38.8
Arkansas	39.20	34.10	$36,834	68.90	22	39.5
Delaware	38.60	65.40	$49,238	36.20	26	38.6
Iowa	37.40	43.50	$41,156	38.60	20	38.9
Nebraska	37.00	51.30	$43,879	29.90	19	39.2
Pennsylvania	36.90	54.80	$46,831	43.40	27	38.6
Michigan	36.50	50.20	$43,453	33.10	24	38.3
Texas	36.50	48.80	$44,752	63.00	27	39.8
North Carolina	36.40	42.50	$41,842	48.80	25	39.1
Louisiana	36.30	25.60	$35,434	58.50	26	39.5
Arizona	36.10	63.70	$48,549	32.00	26	38.9
Illinois	35.70	52.50	$47,397	36.80	29	38.6
Kentucky	35.00	38.30	$37,609	46.70	24	38.9
Missouri	34.80	50.50	$43,355	32.20	24	38.8
Mississippi	34.50	17.10	$31,798	72.80	25	39.2
Indiana	33.50	48.90	$42,275	28.50	24	38.8
Ohio	32.80	40.40	$40,856	30.40	24	38.5
West Virginia	31.10	29.60	$34,782	42.00	26	38.6
Florida	30.10	56.20	$46,118	22.80	28	39
Alabama	28.30	26.10	$35,510	38.90	25	39.2
Georgia	28.00	43.60	$43,159	32.80	29	39.2

State

Final Score

Income Score

Average Single-Parent Family Income

Affordability Score

Average Commute Time (Minutes)

Average Hours Worked Per Week

California

67.10

82.00

$60,235

54.90