With fathers working at higher rates, new report ranks best states for working dads

Parenting roles have shifted through the years as couples share more of the responsibilities of working full-time and raising children.

This reality not only affects working moms but professional dads. More fathers are starting to transition to work from home jobs, while juggling child-related duties.

However, not every dad endures the same daily challenges of working and raising kids and one factor to consider is their living circumstances, which may impact their quality of life. 

RELATED: New study reveals best and worst places to raise a family in America

To take a deeper dive into this subject, WalletHub ranked the best states for working dads by comparing all 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. across 22 key categories of support for working fathers. 

The personal finance website’s report takes into consideration elements like the average workday length for men to childcare costs and the percentage of men in good or better health. 

Best states for working dads in 2026

Local perspective:

WalletHub created its rankings using four key dimensions: economic and social well-being, work-life balance, child care and health.

Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a perfect score representing conditions conducive for working fathers. 

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

An in-depth look at the top states for working dads

Dig deeper:

Massachusetts and Connecticut were listed as the top states for working dads followed by Washington, D.C. in WalletHub’s latest report. Here’s what researchers explained about their rankings for the areas. 

Massachusetts

WalletHub ranked Massachusetts as the best state for working fathers, primarily because it has stellar economic conditions for dads. The state’s median income for families with children under 18 and a father present is $129,500, which ranks sixth highest in the United States.

 Massachusetts also has the third-lowest poverty rate for kids whose father is present, at 5.1%. And the area also has the best parental leave policies of any state, permitting dads sufficient time off work when a new child is born.

The report found that the state has the best school system in the nation and is a suitable place for men’s health. According to WalletHub, Massachusetts has the third-highest number of men in good or better health, coupled with the lowest number of men without health insurance.

Connecticut

Connecticut ranks second as the best state for working dads because it has the second-best school system in the U.S. and the highest number of child care centers that are nationally accredited. 

WalletHub noted that the state also has the third-highest number of working men (76%) who are economically secure, meaning they can financially manage their basic monthly expenses while also growing their assets.

The area is also ideal for men to stay healthy, with 85.7% of men in good or better health and one of the lowest suicide rates for men in the U.S.

Washington, D.C. 

Washington, D.C. ranks third on the list as a top destination for working dads to live. The nation’s capital has the highest median income for families with the father present, at $147,300, and the second-highest number of nationally accredited child care centers.

According to WalletHub, D.C. has the largest number of men in good or better health and the highest percentage of physically active men. 

Lastly, D.C. also has adequate resources that assist fathers with spending more time with their families with the second-best parental leave policies in the U.S.

 

Lifestyle