Is Washington state a good place to have a baby? Here’s where it ranks

Whether you’re welcoming your first child or your fifth, your location can have a major impact on your growing family.

Consumer Affairs recently ranked the best and worst states to have a baby in 2026.

“While not every family has the privilege of moving before having a baby, data indicates that it’s easier, safer and more affordable to start a family in some states than in others,” the customer review platform said in a June 3 article. “Where you live can have a significant influence on a range of factors, from the cost of delivery to the length of guaranteed paid leave from work.”

Only two states in the West made Consumer Affairs’ top 10 list.

Here’s how Washington state did:

How much does it cost to have a baby in the U.S.?

In 2025, the average out-of-pocket cost of childbirth in the United States was $2,854 with health insurance, according to Forbes.

This includes your deductible, copayments and coinsurance costs, according to the publication.

“If you have already met your annual deductible, your out-of-pocket expenses will be lower,” Forbes said.

Without insurance, giving birth can cost an average of $18,865.

In Washington state, out-of-pocket costs for childbirth average $2,167 for a cesarean section, $2,153 for a delivery and $2,147 for a vaginal birth, Forbes found.

Is Washington state a good place to start a family?

Washington state took the No. 10 spot on Consumer Affairs’ list of the top 10 spots to have a baby.

Although Washington state “hovers around the middle of the pack” in terms of access to maternal healthcare, the Evergreen State “makes up for it with outstanding postpartum and family support, scoring third best,” Consumer Affairs said.

Washington state ranked sixth overall in terms of maternal and infant outcomes.

Washington was 17th in the nation in terms of childbirth affordability.

“Whether a place is ‘safe’ for having a baby isn’t only about hospitals and clinics,” Jun Wu, a professor of environmental and occupational health at UC Irvine, told Consumer Affairs. “The surrounding environment shapes the conditions a pregnancy unfolds in, and with it the health of both the pregnant person and the infant.”

What prenatal, postpartum services does Washington state offer?

Washington state offers multiple services for both prenatal and postpartum stages of pregnancy.

Apple Health’s First Steps program provides “comprehensive pregnancy and 12 months of postpartum coverage for individuals who qualify based on income, regardless of citizenship or immigration status,” according to the Washington State Health Care Authority.

This includes:

• Prenatal care
• Mental health services
• Substance use disorder services
• Dental services
• Delivery in a hospital, birthing center or home birth
• 12 months of comprehensive postpartum care
• Enrollment in Apple Health from birth to age 6.
• Abortion care and pregnancy loss

Prenatal Support Washington also offers support for expectant parents, including support groups, online therapy and perinatal loss resources.

Where are the top 10 states for new parents?

According to Consumer Affairs, these were the top 10 states and districts to have a baby in 2026:

1. New Hampshire
2. Vermont
3. Massachusetts
4. Connecticut
5. Oregon
6. Minnesota
7. Maine
8. Washington, D.C.
9. Rhode Island
10. Washington state

How did Consumer Affairs rank best states for childbirth?

Consumer Affairs said its research team ranked the best states to have a baby based on metrics in four categories:

• Maternal healthcare access
• Childbirth affordability
• Postpartum and family support
• Maternal and infant outcomes

Data came from sources including The Commonwealth Fund, March of Dimes, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM with the headline "Is Washington state a good place to have a baby? Here’s where it ranks."

Julia Hawkins

The Bellingham Herald

Julia Hawkins joined The Herald as a service journalism and general assignment reporter in December 2025. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism at Western Washington University in Bellingham.