Written by
Kristen Cramer
Edited by
Tamatha Hazen
Fact-checked by
Tara Farmer
Average cost to raise a child
The average cost to raise a child is $280,000 to $312,000 for a middle-income family, after factoring in inflation. Families with lower incomes can expect to spend around $220,000, while families with higher incomes often spend over $400,000. These totals do not include childbirth expenses or college tuition.
| Expense | Average cost* | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | $81,200 – $90,500 | 29% |
| Food | $50,400 – $56,150 | 18% |
| Child care & education | $44,800 – $49,900 | 16% |
| Transportation | $42,000 – $46,800 | 15% |
| Health care | $25,200 – $28,100 | 9% |
| Clothing | $16,800 – $18,700 | 6% |
| Miscellaneous | $19,600 – $21,850 | 7% |
| Total: | $280,000 – $312,000 | 100% |
*Cost per child from birth to age 18, based on a middle-income family with two children. (Data sources: USDA, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Department of Transportation.)
The cost to raise a child is 20% to 30% higher in urban areas than in rural regions.
The higher the household income, the more a family tends to spend on raising a child.
Families with 3 or more children spend 24% less per child than households with two children. As families increase in size, children can share bedrooms, clothing, and toys, and parents can buy food in larger, more economical quantities.
Housing
Housing is the biggest expense in raising a child, accounting for about 29% of total child-rearing costs. Families with children pay an average of $81,200 to $90,500 more per child in mortgage or rent and other housing expenses than households without children.
Housing expenses include:
Mortgage payments and property taxes or rent
Homeowners insurance
Utilities (gas, electricity, water, and telephone)
Appliances and furniture
Food
Food and beverages make up about 18% of the cost to raise a child. The average total cost from birth to age 18 ranges from $50,400 to $56,150 per child. The cost of baby formula can be as little as $40 per month, but food expenses increase as the child gets older.
| Age | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
| 0 – 2 | $1,870 – $2,080 |
| 3 – 5 | $2,000 – $2,230 |
| 6 – 8 | $2,700 – $3,000 |
| 9 – 11 | $3,170 – $3,530 |
| 12 – 14 | $3,280 – $3,660 |
| 15 – 18 | $3,300 – $3,680 |
Child care & education
The nationwide average total paid for daycare and babysitting, elementary and high school fees, and school books and supplies ranges from $44,800 to $49,900. Costs are lower if one parent stays home to care for the child, but this reduces the family income. Also, costs vary depending on your location and child care provider.
Common child care costs include:
Daycare costs $400 to $1,500 per month. Prices are typically highest for infants.
A full-time nanny costs $2,300 to $4,300 per month.
A live-in nanny costs $3,000 to $5,200 per month, plus room and board.
A nanny share costs $1,500 to $2,600 per month per family when splitting the cost between two families.
Babysitting costs $15 to $25 per hour for 2 or more children, with slightly lower rates for 1 child.
Common education costs include:
Preschool costs $4,000 to $13,000 per student for yearly tuition for kids from 3 to 5 years old.
Kindergarten costs $1,000 to $4,500 per student for yearly full-day tuition for 5-year-olds in public school or $10,000 to $35,000 per year for private kindergarten programs.
Public school costs $650 to $1,550 per student per school year from kindergarten through high school.
Transportation
Transportation costs related to having a child range from $42,000 to $46,800 on average. These costs include vehicle loan payments, auto insurance, fuel costs, maintenance and repairs, and public transportation, including airfare.
Families with children often find it necessary to purchase a larger vehicle to accommodate the whole family.
Health care
Health care expenses range from $25,200 to $28,100, making up about 9% of the total cost to raise a child. These expenses include health insurance premiums, medical and dental services not covered by insurance, prescription drugs, and medical supplies, but not maternity and delivery costs.
The average cost of childbirth with insurance is $2,200 to $3,300, while the cost without insurance ranges from $10,000 to $26,000.
Clothing
Total clothing expenses for a child are $16,800 to $18,700 on average, including diapers and footwear. Clothing prices vary considerably depending on the brand, and avoiding high-end brand-name clothing is an easy way to cut costs in this category.
Other expenses
Other costs involved in raising a child include books and toys, entertainment, and personal care items and services like haircuts. Hobbies and activities like sports, dance classes, music lessons, or martial arts classes also fall into this category.
Get free estimates from daycares near you.
Search
Average cost of a child per year
The average cost of a child per year ranges from $12,000 to $25,000+, depending on the child's age. Child care costs are typically highest for infants and toddlers, but food, transportation, and most other expenses increase as the child gets older.
The cost of a baby in the first year ranges from $11,300 to $25,800, not including maternity and delivery costs and other one-time expenses like nursery furniture, a stroller, and a car seat.
Cost of raising a child by location
The cost to raise a child is significantly higher in urban locations than in rural areas due to differences in housing and child care costs. Overall, costs are highest in the urban Northeast, urban Northwest, and urban west, and lowest in rural regions across the U.S.
The cost to raise a child is highest in Hawaii, Washington, and Massachusetts and lowest in Mississippi, Alabama, and Arkansas.
| Region | Average cost to raise a child* |
|---|---|
| Urban Northeast | $300,000 – $350,000 |
| Urban Northwest | $300,000 – $350,000 |
| Urban West | $290,000 – $325,000 |
| Urban South | $282,000 – $310,000 |
| Urban Midwest | $260,000 – $300,000 |
| Rural areas | $200,000 – $250,000 |
*Average cost per child from birth to age 18, based on a middle-income family with two children.
How to save money while raising children
Follow these helpful tips to save on the cost of raising a child:
Take advantage of the Child and Dependent Care Credit when filing your income taxes.
Check consignment shops and online swap groups or parent networks for gently used children's clothing, furniture, toys, sporting equipment, and other items.
Look for free or low-cost entertainment options, such as public parks, libraries, and family memberships for museums and zoos.
Consider opening a 529 college savings plan to invest in your child's future education.
How we get this data
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.
