As a place for working dads, Maine holds its own in a national scorecard released by WalletHub, the personal finance website.
Among U.S. states, the Pine Tree State is ranked No. 12, sandwiched between Washington at No. 11 and New York at No. 13.
To determine the best states for men who play a dual role of parent and provider, WalletHub compared states across 22 indicators of friendliness toward working fathers. Factors included the average length in the work day a well as child care and the proportion of male residents in “good or better” health.
Massachusetts was No. 1 on the list, while New Mexico was the laggard at No. 51. Among other New England states, Connecticut was No. 3, Rhode Island was No, 4, New Hampshire was No. 9 and Vermont was No. 16.
The report was published this week, just ahead of Father’s Day on Sunday, June 15.
“As a working dad, this hits home,” Nate Wildes, executive director of Live + Work in Maine, told Mainebiz.
“There’s something incredibly special about raising a family in Maine — the pace, the people, the values,” he added. “It’s not just about work-life balance. It’s about living fully, in a place that supports both your career and your kids. This ranking is a reflection of what so many of us already feel: Maine is the kind of place families can safely call home.”
Find the full WalletHub report and rankings here.