Having a Baby in Minnesota Now Costs Over $21,000

The decision to start a family is a major one, and the costs associated with having a baby continue to increase. And here in Minnesota, those costs are extensive-- and might be higher than in many other states.

Inflation and increasing costs are something that we've all been dealing with here in the Land of 10,000 and across the country lately. But if you've decided to start a family-- or add to your family-- just what does it cost to have a baby here in the Bold North in 2026?

More Than 60,000 Babies Were Born in Minnesota in 2025

Despite the costs, there were still over 60,000 babies born here in Minnesota in 2025, according to data from the Minnesota State Demographic Center. (It was actually 62,110 if you're being specific.) Births peaked in Minnesota in 2007, with over 73,000 babies born, but our state has not returned to that number since then.

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But the costs involved in having a baby are the issue that the number-crunchers at health insurance comparison site iSelect just studied. They ranked US states based on the cost of childbirth, employer maternity leave obligations, and other factors to reveal just where parents face the greatest financial and medical challenges.

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How Much Does It Cost to Have a Baby in Minnesota in 2026?

And here's what they found: In the North Star State, the cost of having a baby in 2026 certainly isn't cheap. (Shocker, I know, right?) According to iSelect, those costs easily top $20,000! Here's how it breaks down:

• Average cost of birth in Minnesota: $21,437
• Employer obligation to provide paid maternity leave: Voluntary
• Minnesota maternal mortality rate: 12 per 100,000 births
• Overall score: 38.09/100

Overall, those numbers rank Minnesota 9th on the list of states having the highest toll of giving birth.  Alaska ranks worst overall, with an average birth cost of $32,473, a voluntary employer maternity leave policy, and a maternal mortality rate of 25 per 100,000 births.

Nevada follows, with average birth costs of $25,121 and a maternal mortality rate of 20, resulting in a score of 32.29. And, behind the Cheddar Curtain, our neighbors to the east in Wisconsin come in third, with birth costs averaging $24,917 and a maternal mortality rate of 13.

These Are the 10 States Where Having a Baby Costs the Most

Here are the top 10 states with the Highest Toll of Giving Birth in 2026, according to iSelect:

1. Alaska
2. Nevada
3. Wisconsin
4. Florida
5. Arizona
6. New Jersey
7. Nebraska
8. Pennsylvania
9. Minnesota
10. Kansas

On the other end of the spectrum, Maryland tops the list of states with the lowest toll of giving birth, followed by Delaware, Maine, Rhode Island, and Alabama round out the top five. Our neighbor to the south, Iowa, ranked 10th-- a full 31 places higher than Minnesota.