Cost of Raising a Child Calculator
Estimate the total cost of raising a child to age 18 across housing, food, childcare, healthcare, education and other categories.
Your numbers
- Average per year
- $31,210
- First-year cost
- $34,200
How the cost of raising a child calculator works
Monthly categories are summed and inflated each year, with childcare dropping after age 5.
Example
Using the default inputs (Extra housing / month: $500; Food / month: $450; Childcare / month (to age 5): $1,100; Healthcare / month: $200; Education & activities / month: $250; …), the calculator returns total cost to age 18 of $561,784. Change any field above to see your own result and charts update instantly.
Good for these goals
Frequently asked questions
What is the national estimate?
The USDA has estimated more than $230,000 for a child born today, excluding college.
What is the biggest cost?
Housing and childcare are usually the largest.
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Estimates are for educational purposes only and are not financial, tax or legal advice. Results depend on your inputs and simplified assumptions; tax figures reflect 2026 federal rules and may differ from your situation. See our disclaimer. © 2026 FinanzCalc.