The U.S. birth rate rose slightly between 2020 and 2021, the first increase in the number of births since 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The nearly 3.7 million births in 2021 represented a 1% increase from 2020, in contrast to the 4% decline from 2019 to 2020. This means that many more parents had to fund the cost of delivery.
According to the Peterson-Kaiser Family Foundation Health System Tracker, the average cost associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care totals $18,865 nationwide. Women enrolled in large health plans will pay an average of $2,854 out of pocket. (See how a delivery racks up against the most expensive medical ailments in America.)
Giving birth in nearly all cases requires hospitalization. According to finance website ValuePenguin.com, 99% of deliveries occur in a hospital, necessitating at least one overnight stay or more depending if the delivery was vaginal birth or by a cesarean section. Although insurance covers most of the expense, out-of-pocket costs vary depending on where you live.
To determine how much childbirth costs in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on average out-of-pocket cost of childbirth in 2020 for health insurance plan members from Forbes, which sourced the data from Health Care Cost Institute. Only 45 states had data.
We supplemented the data with the state data on the number of infant deaths and infant death rate per 1,000 live births for 2020, maternal deaths and maternal death rate per 100,000 live births for 2018-2020, and the number of births in 2020. We also added the average payments by employer-sponsored health insurers for childbirth in 37 states in 2020, and the uninsured rate in 2021 using different data sources.
Based on out-of-pocket costs, Michiganders pay the least amount for childbirth, at $974. That is a far cry from Nebraska, where the out-of-pocket expenses for childbirth average the highest, at $2,685.
New parents also have to dig into their pockets after the baby arrives. MoneyGeek.com estimates buying baby formula, diapers, nursery items, and other supplies cost over $10,000 in the first year. Due to inflation, those supplies were $1,000 higher than in 2021, and that is assuming parents can find baby formula considering the shortage is ongoing. (This is the city with the lowest child care costs in every state.)
Click here to see the most expensive states to have a child.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
45. Michigan
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $974
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $949; C-section $1,026
> Avg. insurance payments: $11,827 – 4th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 104,074 – 10th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 708, or 6.8 per 1,000 live births – 6th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 63, or 19.6 per 100,000 live births – 8th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 5.0% – 5th lowest of 45 states
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44. Maryland
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,151
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,149; C-section $1,154
> Avg. insurance payments: N/A
> No. of births: 68,554 – 18th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 393, or 5.7 per 1,000 live births – 21st highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 39, or 18.6 per 100,000 live births – 6th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 6.1% – 16th lowest of 45 states
43. Pennsylvania
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,249
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,241; C-section $1,266
> Avg. insurance payments: $14,714 – 19th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 130,693 – 6th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 729, or 5.6 per 1,000 live births – 23rd highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 60, or 15.0 per 100,000 live births – 5th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 5.5% – 10th lowest of 45 states
42. Delaware
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,271
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,229; C-section $1,365
> Avg. insurance payments: $16,618 – 12th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 10,392 – 3rd lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 53, or 5.1 per 1,000 live births – 17th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 5, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 5.7% – 13th lowest of 45 states
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41. South Carolina
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,344
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,352; C-section $1,331
> Avg. insurance payments: $13,658 – 16th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 55,704 – 22nd lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 370, or 6.6 per 1,000 live births – 10th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 49, or 28.9 per 100,000 live births – 6th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 10.0% – 10th highest of 45 states
40. New York
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,416
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,423; C-section $1,404
> Avg. insurance payments: $20,092 – 3rd highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 209,338 – 4th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 855, or 4.1 per 1,000 live births – 5th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 133, or 20.2 per 100,000 live births – 9th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 5.2% – 8th lowest of 45 states
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39. Massachusetts
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,431
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,421; C-section $1,451
> Avg. insurance payments: $17,285 – 10th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 66,428 – 19th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 262, or 3.9 per 1,000 live births – 2nd lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 30, or 14.7 per 100,000 live births – 4th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 2.5% – the lowest of 45 states
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38. New Jersey
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,447
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,446; C-section $1,449
> Avg. insurance payments: N/A
> No. of births: 97,954 – 11th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 392, or 4.0 per 1,000 live births – 4th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 72, or 24.1 per 100,000 live births – 13th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 7.2% – 23rd highest of 45 states
37. Illinois
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,538
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,514; C-section $1,589
> Avg. insurance payments: $13,320 – 14th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 133,298 – 5th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 733, or 5.5 per 1,000 live births – 22nd lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 54, or 12.9 per 100,000 live births – 2nd lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 7.0% – 20th lowest of 45 states
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36. Rhode Island
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,624
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,650; C-section $1,581
> Avg. insurance payments: N/A
> No. of births: 10,101 – 2nd lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 40, or 4.0 per 1,000 live births – 3rd lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 5, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 4.3% – 2nd lowest of 45 states
35. Arizona
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,683
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,629; C-section $1,805
> Avg. insurance payments: $12,491 – 9th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 76,947 – 16th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 399, or 5.2 per 1,000 live births – 18th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 67, or 28.3 per 100,000 live births – 8th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 10.7% – 8th highest of 45 states
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34. Missouri
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,744
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,717; C-section $1,808
> Avg. insurance payments: $11,242 – 2nd lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 69,285 – 17th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 408, or 5.9 per 1,000 live births – 18th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 54, or 25.2 per 100,000 live births – 11th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 9.4% – 14th highest of 45 states
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33. New Hampshire
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,782
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,770; C-section $1,806
> Avg. insurance payments: N/A
> No. of births: 11,791 – 7th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 52, or 4.4 per 1,000 live births – 9th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 2, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 5.1% – 6th lowest of 45 states
32. Connecticut
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,801
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,831; C-section $1,744
> Avg. insurance payments: $19,371 – 5th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 33,460 – 12th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 145, or 4.3 per 1,000 live births – 8th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 18, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 5.2% – 7th lowest of 45 states
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31. Indiana
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,839
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,831; C-section $1,856
> Avg. insurance payments: $14,826 – 18th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 78,616 – 15th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 531, or 6.8 per 1,000 live births – 8th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 68, or 28.2 per 100,000 live births – 9th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 7.5% – 22nd highest of 45 states
30. Virginia
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,842
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,826; C-section $1,871
> Avg. insurance payments: $15,221 – 17th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 94,749 – 12th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 546, or 5.8 per 1,000 live births – 20th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 65, or 22.3 per 100,000 live births – 15th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 6.8% – 19th lowest of 45 states
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29. New Mexico
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,863
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,817; C-section $1,991
> Avg. insurance payments: $12,791 – 10th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 21,903 – 10th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 116, or 5.3 per 1,000 live births – 20th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 10, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 10.0% – 12th highest of 45 states
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28. Mississippi
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,894
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,834; C-section $1,989
> Avg. insurance payments: N/A
> No. of births: 35,473 – 16th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 288, or 8.1 per 1,000 live births – the highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 33, or 30.2 per 100,000 live births – 5th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 11.9% – 5th highest of 45 states
27. California
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,955
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,949; C-section $1,967
> Avg. insurance payments: $21,139 – 2nd highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 420,259 – the highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 1648, or 3.9 per 1,000 live births – the lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 135, or 10.2 per 100,000 live births – the lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 7.0% – 21st lowest of 45 states
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26. Kansas
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $1,987
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,973; C-section $2,015
> Avg. insurance payments: $11,876 – 5th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 34,376 – 14th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 227, or 6.6 per 1,000 live births – 11th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 23, or 21.7 per 100,000 live births – 14th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 9.2% – 16th highest of 45 states
25. Ohio
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,036
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,041; C-section $2,025
> Avg. insurance payments: $13,048 – 12th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 129,191 – 7th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 865, or 6.7 per 1,000 live births – 9th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 85, or 21.3 per 100,000 live births – 12th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 6.5% – 18th lowest of 45 states
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24. Florida
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,053
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,064; C-section $2,037
> Avg. insurance payments: $17,340 – 9th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 209,671 – 3rd highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 1217, or 5.8 per 1,000 live births – 19th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 141, or 21.7 per 100,000 live births – 14th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 12.1% – 4th highest of 45 states
23. Iowa
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,060
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $1,975; C-section $2,243
> Avg. insurance payments: $12,126 – 8th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 36,114 – 17th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 160, or 4.4 per 1,000 live births – 10th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 14, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 4.8% – 4th lowest of 45 states
22. Louisiana
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,112
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,058; C-section $2,202
> Avg. insurance payments: $11,990 – 6th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 57,328 – 23rd highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 435, or 7.6 per 1,000 live births – 2nd highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 56, or 31.8 per 100,000 live births – 4th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 7.6% – 21st highest of 45 states
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21. Nevada
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,122
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,069; C-section $2,219
> Avg. insurance payments: $13,969 – 17th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 33,653 – 13th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 156, or 4.6 per 1,000 live births – 12th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 20, or 19.2 per 100,000 live births – 7th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 11.6% – 6th highest of 45 states
20. Kentucky
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,132
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,097; C-section $2,194
> Avg. insurance payments: $12,048 – 7th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 51,668 – 21st lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 332, or 6.4 per 1,000 live births – 12th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 63, or 39.7 per 100,000 live births – 2nd highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 5.7% – 11th lowest of 45 states
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19. Washington
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,153
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,147; C-section $2,167
> Avg. insurance payments: $18,192 – 6th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 83,086 – 13th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 375, or 4.5 per 1,000 live births – 11th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 52, or 20.5 per 100,000 live births – 10th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 6.4% – 17th lowest of 45 states
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18. Colorado
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,178
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,117; C-section $2,318
> Avg. insurance payments: $16,317 – 15th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 61,494 – 21st highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 295, or 4.8 per 1,000 live births – 13th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 27, or 14.4 per 100,000 live births – 3rd lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 8.0% – 20th highest of 45 states
17. West Virginia
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,182
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,112; C-section $2,307
> Avg. insurance payments: $17,842 – 7th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 17,323 – 8th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 127, or 7.3 per 1,000 live births – 4th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 12, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 6.1% – 15th lowest of 45 states
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16. Wisconsin
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,250
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,252; C-section $2,244
> Avg. insurance payments: $16,917 – 11th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 60,594 – 22nd highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 360, or 5.9 per 1,000 live births – 16th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 17, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 5.4% – 9th lowest of 45 states
15. Maine
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,264
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,220; C-section $2,358
> Avg. insurance payments: $17,486 – 8th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 11,539 – 6th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 73, or 6.3 per 1,000 live births – 14th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 3, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 5.7% – 12th lowest of 45 states
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14. Oregon
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,272
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,251; C-section $2,319
> Avg. insurance payments: $19,837 – 4th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 39,820 – 18th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 168, or 4.2 per 1,000 live births – 7th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 18, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 6.1% – 14th lowest of 45 states
13. Utah
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,277
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,254; C-section $2,346
> Avg. insurance payments: $13,095 – 13th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 45,702 – 19th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 248, or 5.4 per 1,000 live births – 21st lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 17, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 9.0% – 17th highest of 45 states
12. Arkansas
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,284
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,194; C-section $2,453
> Avg. insurance payments: $10,177 – the lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 35,251 – 15th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 260, or 7.4 per 1,000 live births – 3rd highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 44, or 40.4 per 100,000 live births – the highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 9.2% – 15th highest of 45 states
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11. North Carolina
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,299
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,199; C-section $2,491
> Avg. insurance payments: $13,327 – 15th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 116,730 – 9th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 790, or 6.8 per 1,000 live births – 7th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 73, or 20.6 per 100,000 live births – 11th lowest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 10.4% – 9th highest of 45 states
10. Georgia
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,330
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,319; C-section $2,350
> Avg. insurance payments: $16,616 – 13th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 122,473 – 8th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 769, or 6.3 per 1,000 live births – 15th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 108, or 28.8 per 100,000 live births – 7th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 12.6% – 3rd highest of 45 states
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9. Montana
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,420
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,305; C-section $2,610
> Avg. insurance payments: $16,239 – 16th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 10,791 – 4th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 54, or 5.0 per 1,000 live births – 14th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 8, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 8.2% – 19th highest of 45 states
8. Idaho
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,435
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,295; C-section $2,596
> Avg. insurance payments: N/A
> No. of births: 21,533 – 9th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 109, or 5.1 per 1,000 live births – 15th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 11, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 8.8% – 18th highest of 45 states
7. Alaska
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,473
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,388; C-section $2,692
> Avg. insurance payments: $21,535 – the highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 9,469 – the lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 48, or 5.1 per 1,000 live births – 16th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 8, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 11.4% – 7th highest of 45 states
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6. Minnesota
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,486
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,447; C-section $2,579
> Avg. insurance payments: $16,319 – 14th highest of 37 states
> No. of births: 63,443 – 20th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 262, or 4.1 per 1,000 live births – 6th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 19, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 4.5% – 3rd lowest of 45 states
5. Tennessee
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,507
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,494; C-section $2,530
> Avg. insurance payments: N/A
> No. of births: 78,689 – 14th highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 502, or 6.4 per 1,000 live births – 13th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 83, or 34.6 per 100,000 live births – 3rd highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 10.0% – 11th highest of 45 states
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4. Texas
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,518
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,447; C-section $2,636
> Avg. insurance payments: $12,992 – 11th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 368,190 – 2nd highest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 1946, or 5.3 per 1,000 live births – 19th lowest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 257, or 22.9 per 100,000 live births – 14th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 18.0% – the highest of 45 states
3. South Dakota
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,577
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,501; C-section $2,809
> Avg. insurance payments: $14,016 – 18th lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 10,960 – 5th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 80, or 7.3 per 1,000 live births – 5th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 7, N/A
> Uninsured rate: 9.5% – 13th highest of 45 states
2. Oklahoma
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,598
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,534; C-section $2,722
> Avg. insurance payments: $11,705 – 3rd lowest of 37 states
> No. of births: 47,623 – 20th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 281, or 5.9 per 1,000 live births – 17th highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 36, or 24.6 per 100,000 live births – 12th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 13.8% – 2nd highest of 45 states
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1. Nebraska
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for delivery: $2,685
> Avg. out-of-pocket cost for: Vaginal birth $2,670; C-section $2,718
> Avg. insurance payments: N/A
> No. of births: 24,291 – 11th lowest of 45 states
> Infant deaths: 138, or 5.7 per 1,000 live births – 22nd highest of 45 states
> Maternal deaths: 21, or 28.2 per 100,000 live births – 9th highest of 29 states
> Uninsured rate: 7.1% – 22nd lowest of 45 states
Methodology
To determine how much childbirth costs in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data on average out-of-pocket cost of childbirth in 2020 for health insurance plan members from Forbes, which sourced the data from Health Care Cost Institute. Only 45 states had data. The data also broke down cost per delivery type, C-section or vaginal birth. We also added the average employer-sponsored health insurers paid for deliveries in 37 states, using data from Health Care Cost Institute for 2020.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention included infant deaths and infant death rate per 1,000 live births for 2020, maternal deaths and maternal death rate per 100,000 live births for 2018-2020, and number of births in 2020. Infant deaths are deaths of children under one year of age. Maternal deaths include deaths of women while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes. From the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey we added 2021 uninsured rate.
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