Not every state offers the same quality of life; some are better suited to raising and supporting families than others.

So, what should families consider when choosing a place to settle down? To what degree is a child’s development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the state in which they live?

Family life expert Dr. M.H. Raza answers these questions and more on WalletHub. He’s also associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Developmental Sciences at Missouri State University.