Study places Utah among top ten states to have a baby

SALT LAKE CITY — The cost of having a baby can be a hefty one, especially with the continuation of COVID. But if you’re having a baby, a new study ranks Utah as one of the top ten states in which to do so. 

Wallethub compared 32 qualities across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, including cost, healthcare accessibility, and baby- and family-friendliness. 

Overall, Utah ranked number ten.

When broken down, the Wallethub study found that Utah is number five for lowest hospital c-section delivery charges. Policyscout, a search engine that allows consumers to compare insurance rates, reports that in Utah a c-section costs $8,952.52 with insurance and $14,252.80 without insurance. 

Natural childbirth costs in Utah are $5,951.76 with insurance and $10,199.52 without, according to Policyscout. 

Maryland ranks number one for the lowest cost of c-sections, and North Dakota has the lowest natural childbirth costs. 

Utah falls short in number of childcare centers

However, Utah falls short when it comes to childcare centers per capita, according to the Wallethub study. In fact, Utah comes in at number 51 for the fewest centers per capita. 

An article from KSL5 TV explained that in 2021 childcare costs increased by 27% in Utah. 

According to that report, the American Camp Association said that the cost increase equaled $3,250 for 10 weeks of summer break, per child. KSL TV also reported that in Utah child care facilities cost about $1,900 for that same period, and that home-based care totaled around $1,500 per child for the summer.

The state with the cheapest yearly average infant-care costs is Mississippi.

How to save when having a baby

For new parents, Money Management offers some tips and tricks to save on child care costs. The website says that daycare and nanny services can go quickly, so looking ahead of time may be beneficial in finding a good price. Furthermore, Money Management suggests coordinating with other parents on things like sharing babysitting chores. 

Other suggestions include carpooling with other parents to save money on gas and asking your employer about other benefits they may offer. 

Also, check out government programs and the subsidies they offer. Care.com, a membership-based online marketplace for caregivers and families, provides a list of nine childcare subsidies families may not know about. 

Another option, the Pampered Mom website, says they help moms get baby products for a reasonable price from leading companies. 

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