Average Cost of Raising a Child in the US: 2026 Report ($331,000+)

For over two decades, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published an annual report titled "Expenditures on Children by Families." It was the definitive resource for anyone trying to answer a simple but important question: how much does it cost to raise a child? The last edition, published in January 2017 using 2015 data, estimated that a middle-income married couple would spend $233,610 to raise a child born in 2015 from birth through age 17, not including college.

Then the USDA stopped publishing it. No explanation was provided. The calculator remains on their website using outdated figures, and parents, financial planners, and policymakers have been left to cobble together numbers from a patchwork of sources ever since.

This report fills that gap. Using the USDA's original methodology as a foundation, updated with inflation adjustments from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI, independent analysis from the Brookings Institution, and category-specific data from Care.com, Child Care Aware of America, the College Board, and BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, we present the most comprehensive, consolidated picture of what it costs to raise a child in America in 2026.

The bottom line: a middle-income married couple can now expect to spend approximately $331,000 to $340,000 to raise a child born in 2026 from birth through age 17. That figure rises to an estimated $389,000 when accounting for higher-than-historical inflation rates seen since 2020. And it does not include college, which adds another $124,000 to $262,000 depending on institution type.

Three findings from this analysis demand attention:

1. Childcare has become the fastest-growing cost category. Center-based infant care now averages $14,760 per year nationally and exceeds the cost of in-state college tuition in 33 states. Families are spending an average of 20% of their household income on childcare alone, triple the federal affordability threshold of 7%.
2. Where you live determines what you pay. Raising a child in Massachusetts costs roughly $36,000 per year. In Mississippi, it is about $18,000. The geographic disparity has widened over the past decade as housing and childcare costs in coastal and urban areas have outpaced wage growth.
3. Low-income families face the steepest burden. While they spend less in absolute dollars (approximately $241,000 total), they allocate a proportionally larger share of their income to child-rearing, often 25% or more. This leaves minimal margin for savings, emergencies, or retirement. For strategies to stretch your income further, see our guide to saving money on groceries and how to reduce your tax bill.

The USDA's last published figure of $233,610 (2015 dollars) was based on middle-income married-couple families with two children, using data from the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey. That figure covered expenditures from birth through age 17 across seven major categories: housing, food, transportation, clothing, healthcare, childcare/education, and miscellaneous.

To update this figure to 2026, we applied two methodologies:

Method 1: CPI Inflation Adjustment. Using the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI-U (All Urban Consumers), the cumulative inflation from 2015 to January 2026 is approximately 38-42%. Applying this directly to the USDA baseline produces a range of $322,000 to $331,000. U.S. News & World Report, using a similar methodology, arrived at $322,427 through June 2025.

Method 2: Brookings Institution Higher-Inflation Scenario. In August 2022, Brookings senior fellow Isabel V. Sawhill published an updated analysis that assumed a 4% annual inflation rate from 2020 onward (rather than the USDA's original 2.2% assumption). This produced an estimate of $310,605 in 2022 dollars. Extending that analysis through 2026 yields approximately $340,000 to $350,000.

Method 3: Domain Money's 2025 Analysis. Financial planning firm Domain Money estimated $331,933 for a middle-income family in December 2025, with an upper range of $389,000 when factoring in post-pandemic economic conditions.

Our consolidated estimate for 2026: $331,000 to $340,000 for a middle-income married couple raising one child born in 2026 from birth to age 17. This represents approximately $18,400 to $18,900 per year, or roughly $1,530 to $1,575 per month.

This figure excludes prenatal care, birth costs, and college. When college is included, the total jumps to between $455,000 (public in-state) and $593,000 (private nonprofit), based on College Board 2025-2026 data.

The USDA's original methodology divided child-rearing expenses into seven categories. Using that framework with updated data from the 2024 BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey (released December 2025) and category-specific sources, here is where the $331,000+ actually goes:

• Housing (29%, ~$96,000): The largest single category. Includes the child's share of mortgage/rent, property taxes, utilities, furniture, and maintenance. The BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey shows housing expenditures for families with children averaging $26,237 in 2024, with owned dwellings up 7% and rented dwellings up 5.4% year over year.
• Food (18%, ~$60,000): Includes groceries and meals outside the home. The USDA's monthly Cost of Food reports show that a moderate-cost food plan for a child ranges from $165/month (ages 1-2) to $334/month (teenage boys ages 14-18).
• Childcare and Education (16-22%, ~$53,000-$73,000): The fastest-growing and most variable category. The wide range reflects massive differences between families who use full-time daycare vs. those with family caregivers.
• Transportation (15%, ~$50,000): The child's share of vehicle payments, insurance, gas, maintenance, and public transit. Auto insurance premiums increase significantly when a teenager gets a license.
• Healthcare (9%, ~$30,000): Insurance premiums, out-of-pocket costs, copays, dental, and vision. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports that employer-sponsored family health insurance premiums averaged $25,572 in 2025, with employees paying an average of $6,296 annually.
• Clothing (6%, ~$20,000): Children outgrow clothing quickly, especially during growth spurts. This category includes shoes, seasonal wardrobes, school uniforms, and sports gear.
• Miscellaneous (7%, ~$23,000): Personal care items, entertainment, sports and activities, books, electronics, school supplies, and other incidental expenses.

Of all the categories in child-rearing expenses, childcare has experienced the most dramatic cost increases. It is also the expense that hits hardest in the first five years of a child's life, when parents face a painful choice: pay for full-time childcare or sacrifice career income.

According to Care.com's 2026 Cost of Care Report (published February 3, 2026, surveying 3,000 parents):

• Center-based infant care averages $14,760 to $17,836 per year nationally
• Families spend an average of 20% of household income on childcare
• 31% of parents dip into savings to cover childcare costs
• When combining all care needs (children, elderly relatives, pets), the average family spends 37% of income on care
• 95% of parents support expanded tax credits for care expenses

The federal government defines "affordable" childcare as costing no more than 7% of household income. By that standard, childcare is unaffordable for the vast majority of American families.

Child Care Aware of America's 2024 report found that infant childcare costs exceed in-state college tuition in 33 states. In states like Massachusetts ($26,709/year) and Minnesota ($20,226/year), families are paying more for a year of infant daycare than many workers earn from a full-time minimum wage job.

The geographic disparities are staggering. Massachusetts infant care costs nearly 4x more than Mississippi ($6,868/year). This gap has grown over time, as states with strong childcare worker protections and higher minimum wages pass those costs through to parents, while states with fewer regulations offer lower prices but often at the expense of staff quality and child-to-caregiver ratios.

Nanny care is even more expensive. Care.com reports the national average for a full-time nanny at $42,432 per year, putting it out of reach for all but higher-income families.

Housing accounts for approximately 29% of the total cost of raising a child, roughly $96,000 from birth to age 17. This figure represents the child's allocated share of housing expenses: mortgage or rent, utilities, property taxes (for homeowners), insurance, and furnishings.

The 2024 BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey shows that average housing expenditures reached $26,237 per consumer unit, with owned dwelling costs increasing 7% year over year and rented dwelling costs up 5.4%. For families with children, the need for additional bedrooms, proximity to good schools, and safe neighborhoods pushes housing costs significantly higher than for childless households.

The housing share of child-rearing costs is highest in the Northeast and West, where median home prices and rents exceed national averages by 30-50%. According to SmartAsset's 2025 state-level analysis, families in the Boston metropolitan area spend approximately $38,000 per year per child, with housing being the primary driver, while families in New Orleans spend about $18,000 per year.

The housing cost burden is particularly acute for renters. Homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages locked in between 2020-2022 at rates under 4% have seen their housing costs grow only modestly, while renters have faced cumulative rent increases of 20-30% in many markets since 2020, according to Zillow Research.

For families planning ahead, the housing decision, whether to rent or buy, the size of the home, and the location, is the single most impactful lever for controlling total child-rearing costs.

Food accounts for approximately 18% of child-rearing costs, or about $60,000 from birth through age 17. This includes groceries and food away from home (restaurants, school lunch programs, takeout).

The cost trajectory of feeding a child follows a predictable but steep curve. According to the USDA's monthly Cost of Food reports, a moderate-cost food plan in January 2026 ranges from:

• Ages 1-2: $165/month ($1,980/year)
• Ages 3-5: $190/month ($2,280/year)
• Ages 6-8: $245/month ($2,940/year)
• Ages 9-11: $280/month ($3,360/year)
• Ages 12-13: $305/month ($3,660/year)
• Male ages 14-18: $334/month ($4,008/year)
• Female ages 14-18: $290/month ($3,480/year)

The BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey shows total food spending per consumer unit averaged $10,131 in 2024. For families with children, this figure is substantially higher due to school meals, snacks, and the increased caloric needs of growing children.

Food costs have been significantly impacted by the 2021-2024 inflation cycle. While the headline CPI-U showed food-at-home inflation cooling to approximately 1.5% in 2025, this follows cumulative grocery price increases of roughly 25% since 2020, per BLS CPI data. In other words, prices are no longer rising rapidly, but they have not come down from the elevated plateau reached during the inflationary period.

Healthcare accounts for approximately 9% of child-rearing costs, or about $30,000 from birth through age 17. This includes health insurance premiums (the child's share), out-of-pocket costs, copays, prescription medications, dental care, and vision care.

The Kaiser Family Foundation's 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey reports that the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family health coverage reached $25,572, with employees paying an average of $6,296 (25%) and employers covering the remainder. These premiums have grown 5% year over year, outpacing general inflation.

Out-of-pocket costs add substantially to the insurance premium burden. The average family deductible for employer-sponsored plans is $3,400, and families with children tend to have higher utilization rates due to well-child visits, vaccinations, sick visits, dental cleanings, orthodontia, and emergency room visits for the inevitable childhood injuries.

Pediatric dental care alone costs an average of $150-$400 per child per year for routine preventive care, according to the American Dental Association. If orthodontic treatment is needed (braces typically cost $3,000-$7,000), that single expense can exceed a full year's budgeted healthcare spending.

The Affordable Care Act's provision allowing children to remain on parents' health insurance until age 26 has helped families by extending coverage, but it does not reduce costs during the 0-17 period this report covers.

One of the most striking findings in this analysis is the enormous geographic variation in child-rearing costs. The USDA's original report noted regional differences, but the gap has widened significantly since 2015.

According to SmartAsset's 2025 study on the cost of raising a child by state, annual child-rearing costs range from approximately $18,000 in the least expensive areas to over $36,000 in the most expensive metro areas:

• Most Expensive: Boston metro (~$38,000/year), San Francisco Bay Area (~$35,000/year), New York City metro (~$34,000/year), Washington D.C. metro (~$33,000/year)
• Moderate: Denver (~$24,000/year), Chicago (~$23,000/year), Atlanta (~$22,000/year)
• Least Expensive: New Orleans (~$18,000/year), Memphis (~$17,500/year), rural South and Midwest ($16,000-$18,000/year)

The primary drivers of regional cost differences are housing and childcare. A family in Boston paying $26,709 per year for infant childcare and $2,800 per month in rent is facing fundamentally different economics than a family in Mississippi paying $6,868 for childcare and $1,100 in rent.

This has real implications for family planning and relocation decisions. A family moving from Boston to a moderate-cost area could save $10,000-$15,000 per year in child-rearing costs, enough to max out a 401(k) contribution or fund a child's 529 college savings plan.

However, higher-cost areas also tend to offer higher wages, better schools, and more robust childcare options. The cost calculation is not as simple as "move somewhere cheaper," as lower-cost regions often have lower median incomes and fewer economic opportunities.

The USDA's cost estimates (and ours) deliberately exclude college. But for most families, the financial obligation does not end at 17. The College Board's Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2025 report (published November 2025) shows the total cost of attendance for the 2025-2026 academic year:

• Public 4-year (in-state): $30,990/year total cost of attendance ($11,950 tuition + $13,900 room/board + fees). Four-year total: ~$124,000.
• Public 4-year (out-of-state): $50,920/year. Four-year total: ~$204,000.
• Private nonprofit 4-year: $65,470/year ($45,000 tuition + $15,920 room/board + fees). Four-year total: ~$262,000.
• Community college (public 2-year): $21,320/year (with housing). Two-year total: ~$43,000.

However, the College Board emphasizes that "sticker price" is not what most families pay. Average net tuition (after grants and scholarships) at public 4-year institutions is just $2,300 per year for first-time, full-time students. At private nonprofits, average net tuition is $16,910. Total grant aid reached $173.7 billion in 2024-2025, a 5.4% real increase.

Still, even with financial aid, the gap between the 0-17 cost of raising a child and the total cost including college is enormous. A middle-income family planning for both should be thinking in terms of $455,000 to $600,000 total, from birth through a bachelor's degree, depending on the type of institution.

This is why financial planners recommend starting a 529 plan or investment account as early as possible. The power of compound growth over 18 years can dramatically reduce the out-of-pocket cost of college. A $200/month contribution to a 529 plan earning 7% annually would grow to approximately $86,000 by the time a child turns 18.

Child-rearing costs are not evenly distributed across 17 years. They follow a pattern with two peaks: the early years (0-5), when childcare costs dominate, and the teenage years (15-17), when food, transportation, activities, and technology expenses surge.

Using the USDA's original age-based expenditure data, updated with current childcare and category-specific costs, here is the approximate annual cost by age group for a middle-income family:

• Ages 0-2 (Infant/Toddler): ~$22,000-$23,000/year. Childcare drives this peak, with infant care averaging $14,760/year at a center. Add diapers ($800-$1,200/year), formula ($1,200-$1,500/year if not breastfeeding), and the initial outfitting costs (crib, car seat, stroller, clothing).
• Ages 3-5 (Preschool): ~$19,000-$20,000/year. Childcare remains the dominant cost but decreases slightly as some families access public Pre-K programs. Food costs begin to rise.
• Ages 6-8 (Early Elementary): ~$16,000-$17,000/year. The entry into public school dramatically reduces childcare costs, but after-school programs, activities, and school expenses (supplies, field trips, uniforms) partially offset the savings.
• Ages 9-11 (Upper Elementary): ~$17,000-$18,000/year. Food costs increase as children eat more. Activities (sports, music, clubs) become a meaningful expense category.
• Ages 12-14 (Middle School): ~$18,000-$19,000/year. Technology costs increase (phone, laptop for school). Food costs continue rising. Social activities and clothing become more expensive as peer influences strengthen.
• Ages 15-17 (High School): ~$20,000-$22,000/year. Transportation costs spike when the child gets a driver's license (insurance for teen drivers averages $3,000-$5,000/year). Food costs hit their peak. College preparation expenses (SAT prep, application fees, campus visits) add up.

The numbers in this report are daunting, but they represent averages. Individual families have significant control over where they fall within the range. Here are evidence-based strategies for managing child-rearing costs:

1. Housing: Right-size your space. Housing is the largest expense, and many families overestimate how much space they need. The USDA methodology assumes an additional bedroom per child, but siblings sharing rooms is a viable strategy that can save $300-$500/month in housing costs. Consider location carefully: the difference between a Boston suburb and a mid-sized city in the Southeast can exceed $15,000/year.

2. Childcare: Explore all options. Home-based daycare costs 20-30% less than center-based care in most states. Family childcare cooperatives, flexible work arrangements, and employer-sponsored childcare benefits can significantly reduce this cost. If you have access to public Pre-K (typically starting at age 4), take advantage of it since this alone saves $10,000-$15,000.

3. Food: Plan and cook at home. The USDA offers four food plans (thrifty, low-cost, moderate-cost, and liberal). A family following the thrifty plan can spend 30-40% less than the moderate plan with careful meal planning. Buying in bulk, cooking in batches, and limiting dining out are the highest-impact strategies.

4. Healthcare: Maximize employer benefits. If your employer offers an HSA-eligible plan, contribute the maximum. An HSA allows pre-tax contributions that grow tax-free and can be used for qualified medical expenses indefinitely. Over 17 years, this can save tens of thousands of dollars in taxes while covering healthcare costs.

5. Start saving for college immediately. A $200/month contribution to a 529 plan starting at birth, assuming 7% annual returns, grows to approximately $86,000 by age 18. That covers 70% of a four-year public university education. Use our Compound Interest Calculator to model different scenarios.

6. Build your budget with our tools. Use the 50/30/20 Budget Calculator to determine how much of your income should go to needs (including childcare), wants, and savings. The Emergency Fund Calculator can help you determine the right safety net size for your family, which is critical because unexpected expenses (medical bills, car repairs) are a leading driver of financial stress for families with children.

7. Take advantage of tax benefits. The Child Tax Credit ($2,000 per qualifying child in 2026), the Child and Dependent Care Credit (up to $3,000 in expenses for one child), and the Earned Income Tax Credit for qualifying families can collectively reduce your tax burden by $3,000-$8,000 per year. See our guide to reducing your tax bill for detailed strategies.

This report's estimates are based on the following methodology:

1. Baseline: USDA's 2015 "Expenditures on Children by Families" ($233,610 for a middle-income married couple with two children, younger child born in 2015, raised from birth to age 17).
2. Inflation adjustment: Applied BLS CPI-U All Urban Consumers index from 2015 through January 2026 (~38-42% cumulative increase). Cross-referenced with Brookings Institution's higher-inflation scenario (4% annual from 2020 onward).
3. Category-specific updates: Replaced USDA's 2015 category data with current figures from the 2024 BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey, Care.com 2026, Child Care Aware 2024, College Board 2025, and Kaiser Family Foundation 2025.
4. Geographic adjustments: Regional cost variations derived from SmartAsset's 2025 state-level analysis and BLS regional expenditure data.

Key limitations:

• The USDA's original methodology counted the marginal cost of a child, meaning the additional cost above what a couple without children would spend. It assumed two-child families and allocated costs per child. Single-parent families, single-child families, and families with three or more children will have different cost structures.
• All dollar figures are expressed in 2026 dollars unless otherwise noted. No forecast is included for future years.
• Regional estimates are based on metro-level averages and may not reflect costs in specific neighborhoods or rural areas.
• Costs associated with pregnancy, childbirth (averaging $18,865 with insurance, per KFF), adoption, and fertility treatments are excluded.
• Costs for children with special needs or chronic health conditions may be substantially higher than the averages presented.

Despite these limitations, the convergence of multiple independent estimates (USDA, Brookings, U.S. News, Domain Money, Northwestern Mutual) around the $320,000-$340,000 range provides reasonable confidence that the true figure for a middle-income family falls within this band.

If you searched for "USDA cost of raising a child latest report" or "USDA expenditures on children by families 2025," you likely found outdated results. Here is why.

The USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) published "Expenditures on Children by Families" annually from 1960 through 2017. The last edition was published in January 2017 using 2015 data. It estimated $233,610 for a middle-income married couple to raise a child from birth through age 17.

After 2017, the USDA did not publish another edition. No official statement was issued explaining the discontinuation. The USDA's online Cost of Raising a Child Calculator still exists but uses the 2015 figures without inflation adjustment.

What does this mean for the "latest" USDA figure?

• The latest official USDA figure is $233,610 (2015 dollars). This has not been updated.
• Inflation-adjusted estimates using the same USDA methodology and BLS CPI data produce a 2026 figure of approximately $322,000 to $331,000. U.S. News & World Report arrived at $322,427 using this approach.
• The Brookings Institution published an independent update in 2022, arriving at $310,605 using a higher inflation assumption (4% annually from 2020). Extended to 2026, that estimate reaches approximately $340,000 to $350,000.

This FinanceFirst report consolidates these estimates alongside current data from BLS, Care.com, Child Care Aware, the College Board, and other sources to produce the most complete picture available. Our consolidated 2026 estimate of $331,000 to $340,000 is consistent with the range produced by multiple independent analyses. For context on how costs interact with your broader financial picture, see our beginner's budgeting guide and emergency fund guide.

What is the average cost of raising a child in the US in 2026?

The average cost of raising a child in the United States in 2026 is approximately $331,000 to $340,000 from birth through age 17, for a middle-income married couple. That works out to roughly $18,400 to $18,900 per year, or about $1,530 to $1,575 per month. This estimate is based on the USDA's original methodology, adjusted for inflation using BLS CPI data, and cross-referenced with independent analyses from the Brookings Institution, U.S. News, and Domain Money. It does not include college costs.

What is the latest USDA Cost of Raising a Child report?

The latest (and final) USDA "Expenditures on Children by Families" report was published in January 2017 using 2015 data. It estimated $233,610 for a middle-income family to raise a child from birth to age 17. The USDA has not published an updated edition since then. The USDA's online calculator still uses the 2015 figures. Inflation-adjusted estimates using the same methodology put the 2026 figure at $322,000 to $331,000.

How much does it cost to raise a kid per year in 2026?

For a middle-income family, the average annual cost of raising a child is approximately $18,400 to $18,900 in 2026. However, costs are not evenly distributed. Infant and toddler years (ages 0 to 2) cost roughly $22,000 to $23,000 per year due to childcare, while elementary school years (ages 6 to 8) drop to about $16,000 to $17,000 as children enter public school. Teenage years (ages 15 to 17) rise again to about $20,000 to $22,000 due to food, transportation, and activities.

What is the average annual cost of childcare in the US?

Center-based infant childcare averages $14,760 to $17,836 per year nationally, according to Care.com's 2026 report. Costs vary widely by state: Massachusetts is the most expensive at $26,709 per year, while Mississippi is among the least at $6,868. Infant childcare exceeds the cost of in-state public college tuition in 33 states, per Child Care Aware of America. Families spend an average of 20% of household income on childcare.

Does the cost of raising a child include college?

No. The $331,000 to $340,000 estimate covers birth through age 17 only. College adds substantially to the total. According to the College Board (2025-2026 data), a four-year public university (in-state) costs approximately $124,000 total, while a private nonprofit university costs approximately $262,000. Including college brings the estimated total to between $455,000 and $600,000, depending on the institution.

How does location affect the cost of raising a child?

Location is one of the largest factors. Annual child-rearing costs range from about $17,500 to $18,000 in cities like Memphis and New Orleans to over $35,000 to $38,000 in metro areas like Boston and San Francisco, according to SmartAsset's 2025 analysis. The primary drivers are housing and childcare costs. A family moving from Boston to a moderate-cost area could save $10,000 to $15,000 per year in child-rearing expenses.