South Carolina Ranked the 3rd Worst State to Have a Baby in 2024

BabyPhoto byPhoto by Jonathan Borba

South Carolina has been ranked the third worst state in the United States to have a baby, according to a new report by WalletHub. The personal-finance website evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 31 key measures of cost, health care accessibility, and baby-friendliness to identify where prospective parents will experience the highest quality care at the best cost.

With the average cost of a conventional birth exceeding $2,600 for mothers with insurance and nearly $15,000 for those without, the report highlights the significant financial burden placed on new parents in South Carolina.

Having a Baby in South Carolina (1=Best; 25=Avg.):

• Overall Rank: 49^th
• 31^st – Hospital Cesarean-Delivery Charges
• 29^th – Hospital Conventional-Delivery Charges
• 40^th – Infant Mortality Rate
• 47^th – Rate of Low Birth-Weight
• 46^th – Midwives & OB-GYNs per Capita
• 46^th – Pediatricians & Family Medicine Physicians per Capita
• 40^th – Child-Care Centers per Capita
• 38^th – Parental-Leave Policy Score

WalletHub's analysis showed that South Carolina faces significant challenges in providing accessible and affordable health care for expectant parents and newborns. The state ranks particularly low in crucial areas such as the rate of low birth-weight, availability of midwives and OB-GYNs, and the number of pediatricians and family medicine physicians per capita. Additionally, the state's infant mortality rate and child-care center availability further contribute to its poor ranking.

Top Five States to Have a Baby

1. Massachusetts

2. North Dakota

3. Minnesota

4. Rhode Island

5. New Hampshire

Worst Five States to Have a Baby

47. Georgia

48. New Mexico

49. South Carolina

50. Alabama

51. Mississippi

The methodology used by WalletHub involved evaluating four key dimensions: Cost, Health Care, Baby-Friendliness, and Family-Friendliness. Each dimension was graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the most favorable conditions for expectant parents and newborns. South Carolina's overall score placed it near the bottom of the list, highlighting the need for significant improvements in maternal and infant health care services.

Despite the challenges, there are areas where South Carolina performs moderately well, such as hospital delivery charges for both cesarean and conventional births. However, these small victories are overshadowed by the broader issues facing the state's healthcare system for new families.

As South Carolina works to address these challenges, the report underscores the importance of investing in maternal and infant health care, expanding access to medical professionals, and improving support systems for new parents. Addressing these issues could significantly enhance the quality of life for expectant parents and their babies, making South Carolina a more attractive place for families to grow.

For more detailed information and expert commentary, the full report by WalletHub can be accessed here.