Florida ranks low for family-raising; parents feel the pinch

Florida may be one of the best states to live in overall, but a new study suggests it’s one of the hardest places to raise a family and parents in Lehigh Acres say that reality feels familiar.

A recent WalletHub study ranked Florida 40th overall among the best states to raise a family, citing high childcare costs, housing affordability challenges, and family income pressures. The ranking comes as the Sunshine State continues to attract new residents drawn by its weather, lifestyle, and job opportunities.

Parents in Lehigh Acres told WINK News that while they love the community and year-round outdoor activities, the cost of raising children adds up quickly.

“People would max out credit cards for childcare,” said Rebecca, a Lehigh Acres mother of two. “When that card was maxed, they’d open another one just to pay for daycare.”

WalletHub evaluated all 50 states using 50 different metrics, including childcare costs, housing affordability, family income, poverty rates, and access to education and healthcare. Florida ranked near the bottom nationally for childcare costs and housing affordability.

Several parents said childcare is one of the biggest financial burdens they face. Some families rely on grandparents for help, while others reduce work hours or decide one parent needs to stay home because daycare costs can rival a second rent payment.

“It’s not cheap, especially the younger they are,” Rebecca said. “Preschool costs add up quickly. You need staff, ratios, and qualified teachers and that makes it expensive.”

Housing costs are another concern, especially for renters. Parents told WINK News that monthly rent for a home in Lehigh Acres can reach $2,500 or more, making it difficult to save or get ahead financially.

Richard Frickey, a Lehigh Acres father of two, said his family feels fortunate to have purchased their home before the pandemic.

“Looking at prices now, it’s changed drastically since we bought,” Frickey said. “Daycare is something we’re looking at next year, and it’s definitely a significant expense we’ll have to factor in.”

Despite the financial challenges, many families say what keeps them in Lehigh Acres is the sense of community, access to local parks and the ability to enjoy outdoor activities year-round.

WalletHub estimates that raising a child to age 18 can cost families more than $300,000, underscoring the financial reality many parents say they live with every day.