- A new study reveals which states are the cheapest to give birth in, and Arizona ranks tenth, with birthing costing an average of $10,813.
- Mississippi is the cheapest state to give birth in, with birthing costing an average of $7,639.
- Overall, the national average price of giving birth stands at $13,393 for either a c-section or vaginal birth.
A new study has revealed the cheapest states to give birth in, and Arizona ranks tenth.
The study, conducted by personal injury attorneys Birth Injury Lawyers Group, analyzed data from the Health Care Cost Institute to see the average cost of different delivery types, combining the different methods (c-section and vaginal births) to find the average overall delivery cost. The latest figures from 2022 were sourced on the percentage of babies delivered through c-sections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Top 10 – Cheapest states to give birth in
| Rank | State | Average delivery cost | C-section birth | Vaginal birth |
| 1. | Mississippi | $7,639 | $9,377 | $6,557 |
| 2. | Arkansas | $7,883 | $9,964 | $6,774 |
| 3. | Oklahoma | $9,111 | $11,662 | $7,775 |
| 4. | Missouri | $9,495 | $12,116 | $8,377 |
| 5. | Kansas | $9,867 | $12,871 | $8,355 |
| 6. | Louisiana | $9,883 | $11,997 | $8,599 |
| 7. | Kentucky | $9,910 | $12,434 | $8,465 |
| 8. | Iowa | $10,066 | $13,608 | $8,421 |
| 9. | Texas | $10,478 | $13,217 | $8,833 |
| 10. | Arizona | $10,813 | $15,312 | $8,813 |
Overall, Mississippi was revealed to have the lowest average cost of birth, with an average of $7,639. C-sections are generally more expensive across the US, and in Mississippi, they are 43% more expensive than vaginal births, costing $9,377 compared to $6,557. Overall, 38.5% of deliveries in Mississippi are via c-sections.
In second place is Arkansas, with delivery costs averaging $7,883. C-sections made up 33.7% of births in the state, and cost $9,964 on average—47.1% more expensive than vaginal delivery ($6,774). Arkansas’s rate stands 41% lower than the national average of $13,393 for delivery.
Ranking in third place is Oklahoma, where delivery costs average $9,111. The cost of a c-section in the state is $11,662, which is 50% higher than the cost of a vaginal birth at $7,775. C-sections accounted for around 32.4% of all births in Oklahoma, as of the most recent data.
Missouri takes fourth place, with an average delivery cost of $9,495. A c-section costs $12,116, making it 44.7% more expensive than a vaginal birth, which averages $12,116. Around 33.1% of all deliveries in the state are via c-sections.
Kansas ranks in fifth place with an average cost of $9,867, followed by Iowa in eighth place where it costs $10,066 on average.
In sixth place is Louisiana. Here, the average delivery costs $9,883. C-sections make up 37.5% of all deliveries and cost 39.6% more than vaginal deliveries—$11,997 compared to $8,599.
In seventh place ranks Kentucky, with the average cost standing at $9,910. The cost of a c-section is $12,434 on average, making it 46.9% more expensive than a vaginal birth at $8,465.
Iowa places eighth cheapest, with an average cost of $10,066. Here, c-sections are 61.6% more expensive than vaginal deliveries, costing $13,608 compared to $8,421.
Ranking ninth is Texas, where the average delivery cost stands at $10,478. C-sections cost around $13,608 on average, which is 49.7% more expensive than a vaginal birth ($8,833).
Rounding out the top 10 is Arizona, with an average delivery cost of $10,813. C-sections make up approximately 28.6% of deliveries in the state and are priced 73.7% higher than vaginal births at $15,312.
Top 10 – Most expensive states to give birth in
| Rank | State | Average delivery cost | C-section birth | Vaginal birth |
| 1. | California | $19,230 | $24,656 | $16,668 |
| 2. | Alaska | $19,050 | $27,527 | $15,754 |
| 3. | New York | $18,732 | $23,347 | $16,165 |
| 4. | Oregon | $17,586 | $24,234 | $14,587 |
| 5. | Connecticut | $17,584 | $21,757 | $15,412 |
| 6. | New Jersey | $16,748 | $20,477 | $14,786 |
| 7. | Washington | $16,053 | $21,400 | $13,555 |
| 8. | Massachusetts | $15,879 | $20,348 | $13,675 |
| 9. | West Virginia | $15,694 | $19,116 | $13,768 |
| 10. | Delaware | $15,350 | $20,217 | $13,156 |
On the opposite end of the study, California was named the most expensive state to give birth in, costing a staggering $19,230 on average. This figure stands 151% more expensive than Mississippi’s rate.
Following California are Alaska in second place ($19,050), and New York in third ($18,732).
Commenting on the findings, Bob Goldwater, Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Attorney at Birth Injury Lawyers Group, said: “While bringing a new life into the world is exciting for parents, it is also a shame that, for many, birth also brings a huge economic burden, but that’s why it’s great to see so many states with below-average costs.
“The number of c-sections has increased hugely since 2000, when it was 22.9%—now this stands at over 32%. Healthcare providers should look at providing better prenatal care to lower the chance of someone needing a cesarean as this can bring extra risk factors and, as we see here, also costs far more which adds to the stress of new parents.
“Whilst a lot of Southern states typically have a below-average cost, it does point to the economic disparity between regions and raises questions about why—is this because there are better facilities and services in the more costly regions? Policymakers must ensure the best access is given to all new parents and babies to ensure happy and healthy families.”
