How much does it really cost to raise a child?

USDA: $310K from birth to 18 (2026 dollars). Biggest line is housing, then childcare. The $250K figure assumes no daycare — wrong for most US families.

How the math works

Year-by-year cost across categories from USDA Cost of Raising a Child report (last comprehensive update 2017, inflation-adjusted to 2026 dollars):

  • Housing (extra bedroom or bigger home): $80-$110K cumulative — typically the largest category.
  • Childcare/preschool (heaviest in years 0-5): $40-$120K depending on location and use of daycare. Year 1 alone is often $15K-$25K in major metros.
  • Food: $30-$50K cumulative.
  • Transportation: $20-$30K (extra car, more fuel, swim lessons, sports drives).
  • Healthcare: $15-$25K (premium share + co-pays).
  • Clothing + miscellaneous: $20-$40K.

Total: $250K-$400K from birth to 18, depending on location and lifestyle. Add $100K-$300K for college if you fund it. The "$250K" rule of thumb is the optimistic floor; most US households run higher.

The economies of scale: child #2 typically costs 60-70% of child #1 (shared bedroom, hand-me-downs, same childcare). The marginal cost decreases per child.

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Real Cost to Raise a Child: $310K Base + $80K Childcare + $100-300K College
USDA inflation-adjusted: $310K from birth to 18. Add $80K of childcare (heaviest in years 0-5). Add $100-300K for college. Realistic US total: $400K-$700K per child. Child #2 typically runs 60-70% of #1.
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