The cost to raise a child to age 18 in the United States varies depending on income level, location, and specific family circumstances, but recent estimates provide a clear range:
- For a middle-income married couple with two children, the cost to raise one child born in 2025 is roughly $318,949 through age 17, excluding college expenses. This estimate accounts for inflation since a 2017 USDA study that initially estimated $233,610
- A LendingTree 2025 study estimates the total cost to raise a child to age 18 at about $297,674 , reflecting a 36% increase since 2023. Annual expenses average around $29,419, with childcare, housing, food, and health insurance being the largest contributors
- Another estimate from SoFi in 2024 puts the average cost even higher at $414,000 to age 18, with housing, food, and childcare/education making up 63% of the total costs. This equates to about $23,000 per year on average
- The Brookings Institution (2022) found the cost to raise a child born in 2015 through age 17 to be about $310,605 , excluding daycare and higher education
Key expense categories include:
- Housing (largest single expense, around 29-32% of total costs)
- Childcare and education
- Food
- Healthcare
- Transportation
- Clothing and miscellaneous
Childcare costs have risen sharply, with daycare expenses increasing by over 50% in recent years and making up a significant portion of annual costs
. In summary, raising a child to age 18 in the U.S. currently costs approximately $300,000 to $415,000 , depending on family income, location, and lifestyle, with annual expenses averaging between $18,700 and $29,400
