How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child in America?
How much does it cost to raise a child?
Having kids is a major financial decision.
We strive to provide the best for our kids.
Let’s see how much expanding your family may cost you:
Cost of Children: Stats and Facts (Editor’s Pick)
- The cost of raising a child until age 17 is $318,949 on average when adjusted for inflation to 2025.
- Low-income married couples spend $250,000 on average to raise a child.
- Low-income single parents spend $240,000 to raise a child from birth until age 17.
- The average cost of daycare for an infant is $24,243 in Washington D.C.
- Raising a child to age 18 in the UK costs approximately $355,000.
- 84% of Gen Z and 71% of millennial parents say economic conditions influence their decisions to have children.
Does it sound expensive? Don’t worry, not everyone spends that much money. But it is a rough estimate that will motivate you to start saving.
While this is not something we are comfortable putting a price on, it is still practical to financially evaluate a child’s financial impact.
Now, let’s take a look at all the numbers in more detail.
What is the Average Cost to Raise a Child in the U.S.?
The cost of raising a child through age 17 is $318,949 on average when adjusted for inflation to 2025. The original 2017 USDA report estimated $233,610, but when adjusted for the significant inflation experienced between 2017 and 2025, this figure has risen dramatically.
Some studies suggest the cost could be even higher, with estimates reaching up to $310,605 to $318,949 depending on inflation assumptions.
If you are a parent with an organized spreadsheet of all of your expenses, you may have found that your costs were significantly lower or significantly steeper.
The estimates correlate to the number of primary caregivers and income brackets. There is a different average for married-couple families and single-parent families.
Married couples (before-tax income, 2025 adjusted):
- Lower-class income: less than $76,000
- Middle-class income: between $76,000 and $138,000
- Upper-class income: over $138,000
Single parents (before-tax income, 2025 adjusted):
- Lower-class income: less than $76,000
- Middle and upper-class income: over $76,000
Naturally, the studies found that the expenses of raising a child were higher for middle and high-income parents, as they were able to spend more on nonessentials and education.
Core National Averages: Key Expense Breakdown Across U.S. Families
These numbers show the baseline cost of raising a child in the U.S., breaking down the biggest spending categories families face nationwide.
1. Housing accounts for 29% of the total expenses on average.
(Source: Updated analysis based on USDA methodology)
Housing remains the biggest expense of raising a child. It represents 26% of the costs for high-income families, 29% for middle-income families, and 33% for low-income families.
This category includes mortgage payments, property taxes, home repairs, rent, utilities, furnishings, and equipment such as house appliances.
However, bear in mind that if you are already a homeowner with an extra bedroom, you probably won’t see a drastic increase in expenses. Your utilities will be higher, and you will likely need to buy new furniture.
Parents who need to move into a bigger home see their housing expenses increase more significantly.
2. Food accounts for 18% of the total child-rearing expenses on average.
(Source: Updated analysis based on USDA methodology)
Housing and food are some of the main expenses for all families. Food costs have risen significantly due to inflation, with food prices increasing by over 28% between 2017 and 2024.
As children age, food costs increase.
Teenagers are the most expensive to feed, whereas the food costs associated with babies and toddlers are the lowest. However, parents that use formula can expect higher food costs on average.
3. Child care and education account for 22% of all expenses.
(Source: Care.com)
This percentage has increased significantly from the original 16% due to rapidly rising childcare costs. Child care costs have risen 29% from 2020 to 2024, far outpacing general inflation.
The average parent now spends 22% of their household income on child care alone, with many paying over $18,000 annually.
High-income families continue to spend proportionally more on childcare and education because they can afford to enroll their children in more expensive programs.
4. Transportation represents 15% of all expenses on average.
(Source: Updated analysis based on USDA methodology)
Transportation costs have increased due to higher vehicle prices, insurance costs, and fuel expenses. Transportation costs the most for teenagers, as families often buy vehicles for their children and include them in their insurance.
5. Healthcare represents 9% of the total child-rearing expenses.
(Source: Updated analysis based on USDA)
This category includes every out-of-pocket expense, such as deductibles and premiums that aren’t paid for by the employer or another organization.
Healthcare costs have continued to rise, with childbirth alone now costing an average of $18,865 according to recent studies.
Family Expenses by Income Level and Structure
Here, we explore how household income and family type, married couples vs. single parents, shape the overall cost of raising a child.
6. Low-income married couple families spend $250,000 on average to raise a child.
(Source: Inflation-adjusted estimate based on USDA methodology)
Families with a before-tax income that is less than $76,000 (adjusted for 2025) are considered low income. On average, they spend less than middle-income married couples, whose average expenses amount to approximately $318,949.
7. High-income married couples spend $500,000+ on average to raise a child.
(Source: Inflation-adjusted estimate based on USA Facts)
Married couples whose before-tax income is higher than $138,000 spend significantly more on average to raise their child. The average expenses of high-income families continue to be dramatically higher, with some estimates suggesting costs can exceed half a million dollars.
8. Low-income single parents spend $240,000 to raise a child from birth through age 17.
(Source: Inflation-adjusted estimate based on USDA methodology)
Single-parent families with low incomes can’t afford to spend much on items that aren’t of primary necessity, so their expenses are lower in general. It’s noteworthy that child support payments are included in this estimate.
9. High-income single parents spend $450,000+ to raise a child on average.
(Source: Inflation-adjusted estimate based on USDA methodology)
As was the case with high-income married couples, single parents with middle and high incomes have greater expenses, with costs often exceeding $400,000.
High-income families spend almost double what low-income families spend, highlighting the significant impact of income inequality.
Regional and State Cost Differences Across the U.S.
This section highlights how where you live affects family expenses, from high-cost urban hubs to more affordable rural areas and state-by-state extremes.
10. The most expensive region is the Urban Northeast at $380,000 average.
(Source: Inflation-adjusted regional estimates)
The Urban Northeast remains the most expensive region for raising children, with costs significantly above the national average. Future parents should consider the cost of living in their area when planning expenses.
| Region | Low-Income Family | Middle-Income Family | High-Income Family |
| Urban Northeast | $290,000 | $380,000 | $580,000+ |
| Urban West | $265,000 | $350,000 | $550,000+ |
| Urban South | $250,000 | $330,000 | $520,000+ |
| Urban Midwest | $240,000 | $325,000 | $515,000+ |
| Rural Areas | $210,000 | $275,000 | $400,000+ |
11. The least expensive region is rural areas at $275,000 average.
(Source: Inflation-adjusted regional estimates)
Rural areas continue to offer the lowest costs for raising children, primarily due to lower housing, childcare, and education expenses. The total costs in the Midwest and rural areas are lower because housing, childcare, and education costs are significantly reduced in these areas.
12. Daycare for an infant costs $24,243 annually in Washington D.C.
(Source: World Population Review, Census.gov)
Washington D.C. has the most expensive childcare in America, with monthly costs of about $2,020, roughly equivalent to rent for a one-bedroom apartment.
Other expensive states for childcare:
- Massachusetts: $20,913 annually for infant care
- California: $19,547 annually for infant care
- Connecticut: $17,888 annually for infant care
- Colorado: $19,573 annually for infant care
13. Mississippi has the lowest childcare costs at $5,436 annually for infants.
(Source: Finance Buzz, Data Pandas)
Mississippi continues to be among the least expensive places to raise a child, though families still face financial challenges despite lower costs.
Other affordable states for childcare:
- Arkansas: $8,771 annually for infant care
- Alabama: $8,771 annually for infant care
- Idaho: $6,444 annually for infant care
- Other Southern and Midwest states generally offer more affordable options
Healthcare costs by state (examples):
- Alaska: Vaginal birth costs $15,000+ (C-section over $20,000)
- Hawaii: Vaginal birth costs $8,500+ (more affordable than childcare)
- Mississippi: Vaginal birth costs $7,000+ (relatively affordable healthcare)
International Cost Comparisons
To put U.S. costs in perspective, we compare them with child-raising expenses in the UK and Canada, offering a global point of reference.
14. The UK: $355,000 to raise a child to age 18.
(Source: Child Poverty Action Group)
In the UK, couples need £260,000 ($355,000 USD) to raise a child to age 18, while single parents need £290,000 ($395,000 USD). These figures represent significant increases from previous estimates.
15. Canada: $293,000 to raise a child to age 17.
(Source: StatCan, Global News CA)
Middle-income families spend an average of $293,000 CAD ($220,000 USD) per child from birth to age 17. Costs increase by 29% when supporting children through age 22.
| Country | Cost to Age 17-18 | Key Notes |
| United States | $318,949 | Middle-income family, excludes college |
| United Kingdom | $355,000 | Couples; $395,000 for single parents |
| Canada | $220,000 | Increases 29% if supporting to age 22 |
| Germany | $250,000 | Includes government tax relief/allowances |
| Switzerland | $300,000-400,000 | $1,500-2,200 monthly expenses |
| Australia | $180,000-600,000 | Wide range depending on city |
Demographic and Financial Trends Impacting Today’s Families
These stats capture how today’s social and economic pressures are influencing family planning, childcare burdens, and financial support trends across generations.
16. 84% of Gen Z and 71% of millennials factor economics into family decisions.
(Source: Securian)
The vast majority of younger adults are considering economic conditions, including inflation and job security, when making family planning decisions, a significant increase from previous generations.
Key generational differences in family planning:
- Gen Z (ages 18-27): 84% factor economics into having children
- Millennials (ages 28-43): 71% consider economic conditions
- Gen X: 49% considered finances before starting families
- Baby Boomers: 46% factored in financial readiness
17. Only 25% of current parents plan to have more children.
(Source: NerdWallet)
Just a quarter of parents plan to have more children, with 22% citing the high cost of raising children as the primary reason. Among millennials specifically, 30% cite costs as their main concern.
Reasons parents aren’t having more children:
- 22% say overall cost of raising children is too high
- 30% of millennial parents specifically cite financial concerns
- 27% of non-parents under 60 don’t plan to have any children due to costs
- 38% of millennials without kids say costs are prohibitive
18. Parents now spend 22% of household income on childcare.
(Source: Care.com)
The financial burden has increased dramatically, with parents spending nearly a quarter of their household income on childcare alone. Over half of parents paid at least $9,600 on childcare costs in 2024.
Childcare financial impact:
- Average weekly daycare cost: $343 (up 6.9% from 2023)
- Average weekly family care center cost: $344 (up 50% from 2023)
- 57% of parents paid at least $9,600 annually on childcare
- Parents spend 29% of their savings on childcare costs alone
- 21% of parents pay over $1,000 monthly per child
19. 46% of Gen Z adults rely on financial assistance from parents.
(Source: Bank of America)
Nearly half of Gen Z adults (ages 18-27) still receive financial help from their parents, highlighting the financial challenges facing younger generations and impacting their ability to start families.
Key Takeaways
If all these stats made you more stressed out, remember: the average doesn’t represent the necessary or needed amount. Those amounts represent what families actually spent raising their child, including many non-essential expenses.
Some costs can be attributed to expensive toys and clothes, while others reflect families living in high-cost areas. The amount estimated typically decreases after each child, so the first child is usually the most expensive.
So, how much does it cost to raise a child?
The costs have risen significantly due to inflation and economic changes since 2017. While the original USDA estimate was $233,610, current estimates range from $310,000 to $320,000 for a middle-income family, depending on location and lifestyle choices.
Since each case is individual, the best way to determine your costs is by using a calculator that factors in your income and area of living. The national average can only be used as a guideline, but with proper planning and budgeting, families can manage these expenses effectively.
