The 10 states where it's cheapest to raise a family by Elyssa Kirkham on Nov 29, 2015, 2:30 PM Advertisement
 Household finances are tricky for everyone, and the number-crunching is especially hard for families. But location also has a huge effect on families' costs and ability to meet them. A study from the Economic Policy Institute, for instance, found that the average costs of a two-parent, two-child family could vary by as much as $57,000 each year from the cheapest community it surveyed (Morristown, Tenn.) to the most expensive (Washington, D.C.). While child-rearing costs vary greatly by city, there are also significant differences from state to state. Some states offer higher incomes, whereas others keep key costs like food, housing and child care low. Some of the best states for families offer paid family leave, a crucial benefit that can help families fill the financial gaps in times of need. GOBankingRates looked at all of these factors to rank the states and determine which ones make raising a family financially feasible. Here are the 10 cheapest states to raise a family, where households face the lowest costs while earning higher incomes. Read: 10 Most Expensive States to Raise a Family SEE ALSO: 10 states where raising a family costs the most  10. New Jersey The biggest benefit for families living in New Jersey is the overall higher incomes they earn. The state median household income of $65,321 is the fifth highest in the nation, giving families more means within which to live. New Jersey is also one of just three states to offer paid family leave, with state laws that grant up to six weeks of paid family leave in a 12-month period. Workers on paid family leave receive two-thirds of their pay up to $604 a week for total benefits of up to $3,624 for the six-week period. New Jersey laws allow a total of 12 weeks of family leave in a 24-month period (including paid family leave). New Jersey's Senate Democrats have also introduced an initiative, New Jersey: Investing in You, which includes a focus on expanding prekindergarten education and other programs for children ages 5 and under, according to NJ.com. These benefits could be a welcome relief for families in New Jersey, where they face higher-than-average food and child care costs and the fifth-highest housing costs in the nation.
 9. Nebraska Nebraska lands at No. 9 among the best places to raise a family for its low costs, particularly for housing. Nebraska housing costs are below the national average, with a median monthly rent of $1,238 and the median listing price at $149,000. Nebraska's food and child care costs are also lower than most other states' average costs. Even better, these lower costs aren't accompanied by lower earning potential for workers in this state. With a higher-than-average median household income of $55,107, Nebraskan families can enjoy lower living costs while still earning decent wages. Although the state lacks a family leave policy, Nebraskans still have a higher chance of being able to get ahead of their finances than many other U.S. families. Related: Why Women Are Taking Over Family Finances
 8. Missouri Missouri's housing costs are the seventh lowest in the nation, with a median home listing price of $139,900 and a median monthly rent of $1,071. While the state's median income of $49,290 is below the $52,047 national median, families earning this amount and renting at a typical price could still keep housing costs fairly low at 27 percent of their pay, which is less than the 30 percent-of-income rent standard that most rental housing programs and personal finance experts use. Food costs that are 5.8 percent lower than the national average and low child care costs help Missouri residents stretch their incomes further. For child care, Missouri residents pay less than the national median for all age groups considered in this study. For example, full-time care for a 4-year-old costs $6,074 in Missouri versus the $7,748 national median — a savings of $140 a month. Although Missouri lacks a parental leave policy, the state offers other benefits. For example, Governor Jay Nixon announced a $3 million investment in the state's early education program, Missouri Start Smart, in September 2015.
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