Child Cost Calculator
Estimate the total cost of raising a child through age 18
Frequently Asked Questions
Monthly expenses across categories (food, clothing, medical, education, childcare/goods, entertainment) are summed, then multiplied by 12 months and the number of years remaining until age 18. An inflation-adjusted version also grows the monthly amount for every future month rather than holding it flat.
National studies have put the average cost of raising a child from birth to 18 at roughly $230,000-$310,000 total in recent years (excluding college), which works out to roughly $1,100-$1,700 per month on average — though this varies enormously by region and lifestyle.
Housing, childcare, and general cost of living vary dramatically by region — a family in a major coastal metro can easily spend 30-50% more than the national average, while a rural or lower-cost area may spend meaningfully less.
No — this covers expenses through age 18 only (food, clothing, healthcare, childcare/education costs, and general goods/entertainment). College tuition and expenses are a separate, additional cost not included here.