1. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $37,758
• Food: $2,221
• Childcare: $22,806
• Medical: $2,414
• Housing: $5,425
• Transportation: $3,022
• Civic: $1,372
• Other: $499

2. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $35,642
• Food: $2,353
• Childcare: $19,554
• Medical: $2,777
• Housing: $5,924
• Transportation: $3,119
• Civic: $1,380
• Other: $535

3. Washington, DC

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $35,554
• Food: $2,396
• Childcare: $24,886
• Medical: $2,165
• Housing: $2,762
• Transportation: $1,919
• Civic: $985
• Other: $441

4. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $34,415
• Food: $2,229
• Childcare: $18,867
• Medical: $2,603
• Housing: $5,352
• Transportation: $3,450
• Civic: $1,380
• Other: $535

5. Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $32,135
• Food: $2,090
• Childcare: $19,152
• Medical: $1,994
• Housing: $4,065
• Transportation: $2,964
• Civic: $1,372
• Other: $499

6. Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $31,663
• Food: $2,062
• Childcare: $18,250
• Medical: $2,176
• Housing: $4,415
• Transportation: $2,845
• Civic: $1,380
• Other: $535

7. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $30,829
• Food: $1,997
• Childcare: $14,542
• Medical: $2,080
• Housing: $7,056
• Transportation: $3,239
• Civic: $1,380
• Other: $535

8. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $30,781
• Food: $2,205
• Childcare: $17,935
• Medical: $1,281
• Housing: $4,558
• Transportation: $2,887
• Civic: $1,380
• Other: $535

9. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $30,463
• Food: $2,188
• Childcare: $17,475
• Medical: $2,565
• Housing: $3,983
• Transportation: $2,380
• Civic: $1,372
• Other: $499

10. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $30,231
• Food: $1,975
• Childcare: $15,090
• Medical: $2,092
• Housing: $6,197
• Transportation: $2,960
• Civic: $1,380
• Other: $535

Top 10 Metro Areas Where Raising a Child Is Most Affordable

1. New Orleans-Metairie, LA

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $17,887
• Food: $1,978
• Childcare: $7,857
• Medical: $1,227
• Housing: $2,571
• Transportation: $2,829
• Civic: $985
• Other: $441

2. Memphis, TN

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $18,677
• Food: $1,893
• Childcare: $8,320
• Medical: $2,142
• Housing: $1,857
• Transportation: $3,039
• Civic: $985
• Other: $441

3. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $19,830
• Food: $1,784
• Childcare: $8,786
• Medical: $1,884
• Housing: $2,678
• Transportation: $3,197
• Civic: $1,055
• Other: $445

4. St. Louis city, Missouri

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $19,858
• Food: $2,083
• Childcare: $9,727
• Medical: $1,337
• Housing: $2,564
• Transportation: $2,371
• Civic: $1,315
• Other: $462

5. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $20,173
• Food: $2,008
• Childcare: $9,103
• Medical: $2,081
• Housing: $2,641
• Transportation: $2,913
• Civic: $985
• Other: $441

6. Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $20,412
• Food: $2,022
• Childcare: $9,061
• Medical: $2,391
• Housing: $2,224
• Transportation: $3,288
• Civic: $985
• Other: $441

7. Oklahoma City, OK

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $20,460
• Food: $1,869
• Childcare: $9,793
• Medical: $1,593
• Housing: $2,476
• Transportation: $3,304
• Civic: $985
• Other: $441

8. Kansas City, MO

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $20,661
• Food: $1,993
• Childcare: $10,454
• Medical: $1,361
• Housing: $1,933
• Transportation: $3,143
• Civic: $1,315
• Other: $462

9. Birmingham-Hoover, AL

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $20,754
• Food: $1,983
• Childcare: $10,664
• Medical: $1,918
• Housing: $1,656
• Transportation: $3,106
• Civic: $985
• Other: $441

10. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

• Total annual cost of raising a child: $21,014
• Food: $1,635
• Childcare: $9,632
• Medical: $2,084
• Housing: $3,132
• Transportation: $3,106
• Civic: $985
• Other: $441

Data and Methodology

SmartAsset reviewed 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 50 of the largest metro areas. The data is from February 2024. Costs include additions for food, housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation and other necessities.