Cost of Raising a Child in Major U.S. Metros

Common costs associated with raising a child – such as childcare, additional food, medical costs, housing and more – can add up to tens of thousands of dollars per year. This makes raising a child a relatively expensive line-item anywhere, but in some metro areas these costs can be double those in others, sometimes reaching nearly $40,000 per year. What’s more, the cost of raising a child can change quickly, making it important for budding families to keep an eye on trends in their locale. Between 2024 and 2025 alone, the average projected annual cost of raising a small child changed by a range of -15% to +22%, depending on the metro area.

With this in mind, SmartAsset ranked 48 major U.S. metro areas based on the average estimated annual cost of raising a small child in a household with two working adults. The annual change in these costs was also evaluated.

Key Findings

The cost of raising a child tops $39,000 per year in the Boston metro. Maintaining its spot this year as the most expensive place to raise a child, the annual costs are estimated to have increased 3.87% since last year, landing at $39,221. The cost of childcare itself is estimated to be $23,800 of those funds.
In St. Louis, MO, the cost of raising a child increased by over 20% this year. Jumping from 46th place last year to 27th this year when it comes to the total cost of raising a child, St. Louis parents went from paying an estimated $19,858 per year to $24,317 per year in 2025. This was primarily driven by the increase in costs for childcare.
Birmingham, AL becomes the least expensive metro area to raise a child. The projected costs decreased by slightly more than 8% over the last year to $19,082, meaning Birmingham overtook Memphis, TN for the title of least expensive. Memphis is still competitively inexpensive, however, at $19,264 per year.
The cost of raising a child dropped by 15% in Washington, DC. Following the change of presidential administration, the D.C. metro dropped from third most expensive city last year to 13th this year. The annual estimated cost of raising a child went from $35,554 last year to $30,157 – the largest relative drop studywide.

Top 10 Places Where the Cost of Raising a Child Is Highest

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $39,221
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $37,758
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 3.87%
Cost of childcare: $23,800
Housing costs: $5,297
Food costs: $2,232
Medical costs: $3,290
Transportation: $2,996
Civic: $647
Other: $959

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $38,981
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $35,642
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 9.37%
Cost of childcare: $21,730
Housing costs: $6,065
Food costs: $2,366
Medical costs: $4,064
Transportation costs: $3,102
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $37,867
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $34,415
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 10.03%
Cost of childcare: $20,966
Housing costs: $5,740
Food costs: $2,241
Medical costs: $3,835
Transportation costs: $3,431
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $34,448
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $30,781
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 11.91%
Cost of childcare: $19,195
Housing costs: $4,571
Food costs: $2,215
Medical costs: $3,956
Transportation costs: $2,856
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $33,149
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $32,135
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 3.16%
Cost of childcare: $18,689
Housing costs: $4,200
Food costs: $2,101
Medical costs: $3,602
Transportation costs: $2,951
Civic costs: $647
Other costs: $959

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $32,040
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $30,829
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 3.93%
Cost of childcare: $15,350
Housing costs: $6,664
Food costs: $2,007
Medical costs: $3,144
Transportation costs: $3,222
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $31,924
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $31,663
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 0.82%
Cost of childcare: $19,549
Housing costs: $4,230
Food costs: $2,072
Medical costs: $1,607
Transportation costs: $2,811
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $30,817
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $29,920
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 3.00%
Cost of childcare: $18,627
Housing costs: $3,655
Food costs: $2,190
Medical costs: $1,956
Transportation costs: $2,954
Civic costs: $573
Other costs: $863

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $30,660
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $26,943
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 13.80%
Cost of childcare: $17,971
Housing costs: $3,495
Food costs: $2,096
Medical costs: $2,677
Transportation: $2,852
Civic costs: $629
Other costs: $941

Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $30,204
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $27,982
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 7.94%
Cost of childcare: $13,904
Housing costs: $5,251
Food costs: $2,085
Medical costs: $4,144
Transportation costs: $3,165
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Top 10 Places Where the Cost of Raising a Child Is Lowest

Birmingham, AL

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $19,082
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $20,754
One-year change in cost of raising a child: -8.06%
Cost of childcare: $8,570
Housing costs: $1,520
Food costs: $1,993
Medical costs: $2,615
Transportation costs: $3,118
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Memphis, TN

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $19,264
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $18,677
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 3.14%
Cost of childcare: $8,171
Housing costs: $1,848
Food costs: $1,902
Medical costs: $3,037
Transportation costs: $3,039
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $20,787
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $20,412
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 1.84%
Cost of childcare: $8,214
Housing costs: $2,222
Food costs: $2,033
Medical costs: $3,775
Transportation costs: $3,278
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $20,821
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $22,095
One-year change in cost of raising a child: -5.77%
Cost of childcare: $10,143
Housing costs: $2,150
Food costs: $2,016
Medical costs: $2,083
Transportation costs: $3,163
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $20,945
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $21,014
One-year change in cost of raising a child: -0.33%
Cost of childcare: $9,123
Housing costs: $3,232
Food costs: $1,644
Medical costs: $2,590
Transportation costs: $3,090
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $21,327
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $20,173
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 5.72%
Cost of childcare: $10,272
Housing costs: $2,783
Food costs: $2,020
Medical costs: $2,094
Transportation costs: $2,892
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $21,625
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $19,830
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 9.05%
Cost of childcare: $10,496
Housing costs: $2,789
Food costs: $1,793
Medical costs: $2,037
Transportation costs: $3,206
Civic costs: $495
Other costs: $807

Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $21,868
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $21,396
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 2.21%
Cost of childcare: $9,807
Housing costs: $2,923
Food costs: $1,715
Medical costs: $3,074
Transportation costs: $3,082
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $21,876
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $21,383
One-year change in cost of raising a child: 2.31%
Cost of childcare: $10,306
Housing costs: $3,518
Food costs: $2,042
Medical costs: $2,117
Transportation costs: $2,629
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $21,930
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $24,176
One-year change in cost of raising a child: -9.29%
Cost of childcare: $10,480
Housing costs: $3,420
Food costs: $1,866
Medical costs: $1,780
Transportation costs: $2,946
Civic costs: $573
Other costs: $863

Top 10 Places Where the Cost of Raising a Child Grew Most

St. Louis, MO

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 22.45%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $24,317
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $19,858
Cost of childcare: $13,230
Housing costs: $2,770
Food costs: $1,989
Medical costs: $1,844
Transportation costs: $3,046
Civic costs: $573
Other costs: $863

Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 17.27%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $28,068
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $23,934
Cost of childcare: $14,120
Housing costs: $4,350
Food costs: $2,093
Medical costs: $3,426
Transportation costs: $2,815
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 15.27%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $26,947
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $23,378
Cost of childcare: $15,780
Housing costs: $2,300
Food costs: $1,777
Medical costs: $2,461
Transportation costs: $3,194
Civic costs: $573
Other costs: $863

Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 13.80%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $30,660
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $26,943
Cost of childcare: $17,971
Housing costs: $3,495
Food costs: $2,096
Medical costs: $2,677
Transportation costs: $2,852
Civic costs: $629
Other costs: $941

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 12.50%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $28,598
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $25,421
Cost of childcare: $13,130
Housing costs: $5,471
Food costs: $1,816
Medical costs: $3,020
Transportation costs: $3,507
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Kansas City, MO

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 12.01%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $23,143
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $20,661
Cost of childcare: $12,714
Housing costs: $1,968
Food costs: $2,003
Medical costs: $1,879
Transportation costs: $3,142
Civic costs: $573
Other costs: $863

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 11.91%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $34,448
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $30,781
Cost of childcare: $19,195
Housing costs: $4,571
Food costs: $2,215
Medical costs: $3,956
Transportation costs: $2,856
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Oklahoma City, OK

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 11.66%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $22,846
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $20,460
Cost of childcare: $10,753
Housing costs: $2,613
Food costs: $1,879
Medical costs: $3,017
Transportation costs: $3,320
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Salt Lake City-Murray, UT

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 11.25%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $23,631
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $21,241
Cost of childcare: $10,484
Housing costs: $3,548
Food costs: $1,878
Medical costs: $2,988
Transportation costs: $3,078
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

One-year change in cost of raising a child: 10.03%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $37,867
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $34,415
Cost of childcare: $20,966
Housing costs: $5,740
Food costs: $2,241
Medical costs: $3,835
Transportation costs: $3,431
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Top 10 Places Where the Cost of Raising a Child Decreased Most

Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -15.18%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $30,157
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $35,554
Cost of childcare: $17,046
Housing costs: $3,115
Food costs: $2,222
Medical costs: $3,551
Transportation costs: $2,959
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -9.29%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $21,930
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $24,176
Cost of childcare: $10,480
Housing costs: $3,420
Food costs: $1,866
Medical costs: $1,780
Transportation costs: $2,946
Civic costs: $573
Other costs: $863

Birmingham, AL

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -8.06%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $19,082
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $20,754
Cost of childcare: $8,570
Housing costs: $1,520
Food costs: $1,993
Medical costs: $2,615
Transportation costs: $3,118
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -7.70%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $25,144
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $27,242
Cost of childcare: $13,711
Housing costs: $3,302
Food costs: $1,865
Medical costs: $1,501
Transportation costs: $3,110
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -5.77%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $20,821
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $22,095
Cost of childcare: $10,143
Housing costs: $2,150
Food costs: $2,016
Medical costs: $2,083
Transportation costs: $3,163
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -5.62%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $25,132
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $26,629
Cost of childcare: $14,342
Housing costs: $2,422
Food costs: $1,933
Medical costs: $2,163
Transportation costs: $2,834
Civic costs: $573
Other costs: $863

Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -2.56%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $29,457
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $30,231
Cost of childcare: $13,438
Housing costs: $6,275
Food costs: $1,986
Medical costs: $3,159
Transportation costs: $2,945
Civic costs: $657
Other costs: $998

Raleigh-Cary, NC

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -1.37%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $24,262
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $24,598
Cost of childcare: $13,456
Housing costs: $2,061
Food costs: $2,052
Medical costs: $2,262
Transportation costs: $3,164
Civic costs: $474
Other costs: $791

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -1.22%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $24,653
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $24,957
Cost of childcare: $13,641
Housing costs: $2,534
Food costs: $2,038
Medical costs: $2,223
Transportation costs: $2,781
Civic costs: $573
Other costs: $863

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY

One-year change in cost of raising a child: -0.92%
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2025: $30,182
Total annual cost of raising a child, 2024: $30,463
Cost of childcare: $16,656
Housing costs: $3,633
Food costs: $2,199
Medical costs: $3,719
Transportation costs: $2,368
Civic costs: $647
Other costs: $959

Data and Methodology

SmartAsset used MIT Living Wage Calculator data to compare the living costs of a household with two working adults and one child to that of a childless household with two working adults in 48 of the largest metro areas. The data is as of February 2025 and compares to data from February 2024. Costs include additions for food, housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation and other necessities.

Questions about our study? Contact us at press@smartasset.com

Photo credit: Grok