10 States Offering Affordable Child Care and Short Commutes for Working Parents

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As a working parent, expensive child care coupled with a long commute is a recipe for disaster. Not only will your bank account suffer, but you’ll lose precious time during your commute that you could be spending with your children.

To find out where you can experience the best of both worlds, check out these 10 states that offer affordable child care and short commutes. 

North Dakota

According to a study by Lawsuit Legal News, North Dakota is the top pick with a score of 61.53, thanks to its affordable child care costs averaging $8,624 annually, which are well below the national average. The state also leads in child care worker availability, with 2,125 workers per 100,000 children, ensuring families have access to care.

Short commutes of just 17.9 minutes — the second shortest in the country — allow parents more time with their children.

South Dakota

With a score of 53.85, South Dakota ranks second. In South Dakota, child care is among the least expensive nationwide, averaging $6,677 per year.

Families also benefit from the shortest average commute time in the U.S., at just 17.4 minutes. The state also offers plenty of opportunities for child care access, with 1,158 workers per 100,000 children.

Mississippi

Mississippi’s score of 52.16 is driven by the lowest child care costs in the nation, at just $5,439 annually. The state has nearly 700 child care workers per 100,000 children.

It also has an average commute time of 28 minutes.

Louisiana

Louisiana comes in fourth with a score of 51.30. Child care costs average $7,800 per year, and worker availability is above average, with 945 per 100,000 children. Even so, Louisiana ranks last for accredited child care centers, which could be a drawback for some families.

The average commute here is 26 minutes.

Kentucky

Kentucky placed fifth with a score of 49.05. In Kentucky, child care costs are affordable, totaling $6,841 annually. And with 1,095 child care workers per 100,000 children, Kentucky offers good accessibility for families looking for a balance of affordability and education.

Average commute time in the Bluegrass State is 23.9 minutes.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma ranks sixth with a score of 48.61. Child care costs average $7,520 annually. While it ranks No. 26 for accredited child care centers, average commute time in Oklahoma is 22.3 minutes.

Wyoming

Wyoming takes seventh place with a score of 48.46. Even though the state’s child care costs average somewhat higher at $8,236 annually, its average commute time of 18 minutes makes Wyoming a convenient choice for family life.

Arkansas

Arkansas comes in eighth with a score of 46.93. Families benefit from child care costs averaging $6,575 annually.

Commute times are reasonable, too, averaging 22.2 minutes. 

Alabama 

Alabama earns ninth place with a score of 46.46, partially because child care costs are moderate at $7,280 annually. However, the state faces shortages in both child care workers and accredited centers, which limits its overall appeal. Additionally, commute times are a bit higher than other states, averaging 25.3 minutes. 

Alaska 

Alaska rounds out the top ten with a score of 46.29. While child care costs are significantly higher at $10,746 annually, commute times average 19.3 minutes, adding to its appeal.

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