Several Northeast states rank among the best places in the US for children, according to a new study.

SmileHub released its 2025 list of the Best States for Children on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The study compared all 50 states across health, education, family life, and support systems for kids.

The report noted that only 9% of the federal budget goes toward supporting the nation's 72.5 million children.

"Ensuring their health, safety, and development is critical for the continued growth of our country, but the quality of the support systems in place for children varies greatly from state to state," SmileHub's Luke Powers wrote.

Massachusetts claimed the top spot nationwide, earning No. 1 overall thanks to strong rankings in education, health care, and family support. The Bay State also ranked

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