Cost of raising a child in major US metros in 2026

Cost of raising a child in major US metros in 2026

Common expenses tied to raising a child — including child care, food, medical care, housing and other necessities — can total tens of thousands of dollars annually. While costs are high across major metro areas, the burden varies sharply by location, with families in some places facing annual expenses more than twice as high as those elsewhere. These costs can also shift quickly, making local trends important for households planning to grow.

SmartAsset analyzed 48 of the largest U.S. metro areas to estimate the annual cost of raising a small child in a household with two working adults. The study also measured how estimated costs changed from 2025 to 2026.

Key Findings

• Costs declined in two metros. Only two metro areas saw the cost of raising a child decline from 2025 to 2026: Richmond, Virginia (-1.91%), and Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (-1.21%). Meanwhile, costs were nearly flat in the nearby Washington-Arlington-Alexandria and Baltimore-Columbia-Towson metro areas, rising 0.3% and 0.5%, respectively.
• San Francisco is the most expensive metro area to raise a child. In the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area, the cost of raising a child is $43,171, the highest in the nation. Next door, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ranks No. 3 ($41,817).
• Indianapolis saw the biggest spike in child-rearing costs. In the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood metro area, the cost of raising a child jumped 20.77% between 2025 and 2026, the largest increase in the study.
• Memphis is the least expensive metro area in which to raise a child. The cost of raising a child in Memphis is $19,922, making it the most affordable metro area in the study for child-rearing. Since 2025, the cost of raising a child in Memphis has increased $1,245.

How Much It Costs To Raise a Child 

1. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $43,171

• Cost of childcare (2026): $22,777
• Cost of food (2026): $2,348
• Other expenses (2026): $18,046

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 10.75%

2. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $42,584

• Cost of childcare (2026): $24,957
• Cost of food (2026): $2,216
• Other expenses (2026): $15,411

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 8.57%

3. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $41,817

• Cost of childcare (2026): $21,972
• Cost of food (2026): $2,230
• Other expenses (2026): $17,615

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 10.43%

4. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $36,282

• Cost of childcare (2026): $20,137
• Cost of food (2026): $2,215
• Other expenses (2026): $13,930

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 5.32%

5. Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $34,712

• Cost of childcare (2026): $20,478
• Cost of food (2026): $2,062
• Other expenses (2026): $12,172

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 8.73%

6. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $34,705

• Cost of childcare (2026): $16,085
• Cost of food (2026): $1,983
• Other expenses (2026): $16,637

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 8.32%

7. Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $33,773

• Cost of childcare (2026): $18,503
• Cost of food (2026): $2,039
• Other expenses (2026): $13,231

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 1.88%

8. Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $33,307

• Cost of childcare (2026): $19,509
• Cost of food (2026): $2,172
• Other expenses (2026): $11,626

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 8.08%

9. Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $33,299

• Cost of childcare (2026): $14,578
• Cost of food (2026): $2,059
• Other expenses (2026): $16,662

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 10.25%

10. Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $32,906

• Cost of childcare (2026): $19,741
• Cost of food (2026): $2,192
• Other expenses (2026): $10,973

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 9.02%

11. Providence-Warwick, RI

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $32,619

• Cost of childcare (2026): $17,652
• Cost of food (2026): $2,060
• Other expenses (2026): $12,907

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 9.1%

12. Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $32,543

• Cost of childcare (2026): $19,918
• Cost of food (2026): $1,802
• Other expenses (2026): $10,823

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 20.77%

13. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $32,191

• Cost of childcare (2026): $14,083
• Cost of food (2026): $1,990
• Other expenses (2026): $16,118

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 9.28%

14. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $31,417

• Cost of childcare (2026): $17,783
• Cost of food (2026): $2,082
• Other expenses (2026): $11,552

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 2.47%

15. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $31,144

• Cost of childcare (2026): $17,450
• Cost of food (2026): $2,195
• Other expenses (2026): $11,499

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 3.19%

16. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $30,883

• Cost of childcare (2026): $13,762
• Cost of food (2026): $1,797
• Other expenses (2026): $15,324

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 7.99%

17. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $30,248

• Cost of childcare (2026): $17,956
• Cost of food (2026): $2,209
• Other expenses (2026): $10,083

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 0.3%

18. Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $28,215

• Cost of childcare (2026): $14,799
• Cost of food (2026): $2,062
• Other expenses (2026): $11,354

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 0.52%

19. Cleveland, OH

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $27,771

• Cost of childcare (2026): $15,660
• Cost of food (2026): $2,076
• Other expenses (2026): $10,035

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 6.70%

20. Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $27,728

• Cost of childcare (2026): $15,030
• Cost of food (2026): $1,957
• Other expenses (2026): $10,741

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 10.33%

21. Cincinnati, OH

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $27,388

• Cost of childcare (2026): $14,494
• Cost of food (2026): $1,850
• Other expenses (2026): $11,044

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 7.15%

22. Columbus, OH

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $27,368

• Cost of childcare (2026): $15,117
• Cost of food (2026): $1,897
• Other expenses (2026): $10,354

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 5.84%

23. Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $27,289

• Cost of childcare (2026): $14,368
• Cost of food (2026): $1,874
• Other expenses (2026): $11,047

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 8.53%

24. Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $26,635

• Cost of childcare (2026): $14,510
• Cost of food (2026): $2,045
• Other expenses (2026): $10,080

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 8.04%

25. Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $26,235

• Cost of childcare (2026): $11,636
• Cost of food (2026): $2,136
• Other expenses (2026): $12,463

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 9.37%

26. Raleigh-Cary, NC

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $25,945

• Cost of childcare (2026): $14,088
• Cost of food (2026): $2,049
• Other expenses (2026): $9,808

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 6.94%

27. St. Louis, MO

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $25,449

• Cost of childcare (2026): $13,740
• Cost of food (2026): $1,998
• Other expenses (2026): $9,711

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 4.66%

28. Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $25,425

• Cost of childcare (2026): $12,263
• Cost of food (2026): $1,841
• Other expenses (2026): $11,321

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 4.14%

29. Jacksonville, FL

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $25,218

• Cost of childcare (2026): $11,418
• Cost of food (2026): $1,998
• Other expenses (2026): $11,802

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 10.69%

30. Pittsburgh, PA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $25,139

• Cost of childcare (2026): $12,870
• Cost of food (2026): $2,018
• Other expenses (2026): $10,251

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 1.66%

31. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $24,891

• Cost of childcare (2026): $12,091
• Cost of food (2026): $1,788
• Other expenses (2026): $11,012

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 2.91%

32. Salt Lake City-Murray, UT

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $24,670

• Cost of childcare (2026): $10,986
• Cost of food (2026): $1,903
• Other expenses (2026): $11,781

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 4.4%

33. Kansas City, MO

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $24,543

• Cost of childcare (2026): $13,216
• Cost of food (2026): $1,992
• Other expenses (2026): $9,335

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 6.05%

34. Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $24,185

• Cost of childcare (2026): $10,791
• Cost of food (2026): $2,018
• Other expenses (2026): $11,376

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 10.55%

35. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $24,161

• Cost of childcare (2026): $12,419
• Cost of food (2026): $1,979
• Other expenses (2026): $9,763

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 6.01%

36. Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $23,836

• Cost of childcare (2026): $10,753
• Cost of food (2026): $1,994
• Other expenses (2026): $11,089

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 11.76%

37. Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $23,682

• Cost of childcare (2026): $10,985
• Cost of food (2026): $1,890
• Other expenses (2026): $10,807

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 7.99%

38. Oklahoma City, OK

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $23,597

• Cost of childcare (2026): $11,271
• Cost of food (2026): $1,867
• Other expenses (2026): $10,459

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 3.29%

39. Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $23,340

• Cost of childcare (2026): $10,736
• Cost of food (2026): $1,826
• Other expenses (2026): $10,778

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 4.49%

40. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $23,270

• Cost of childcare (2026): $11,410
• Cost of food (2026): $1,844
• Other expenses (2026): $10,016

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 7.61%

41. Richmond, VA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $22,658

• Cost of childcare (2026): $11,448
• Cost of food (2026): $2,015
• Other expenses (2026): $9,195

One-year change (2025 to 2026): -1.91%

42. Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $22,605

• Cost of childcare (2026): $10,265
• Cost of food (2026): $1,721
• Other expenses (2026): $10,619

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 3.37%

43. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $22,470

• Cost of childcare (2026): $10,611
• Cost of food (2026): $2,024
• Other expenses (2026): $9,835

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 7.92%

44. Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $22,314

• Cost of childcare (2026): $10,656
• Cost of food (2026): $1,958
• Other expenses (2026): $9,700

One-year change (2025 to 2026): -1.21%

45. Birmingham, AL

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $21,684

• Cost of childcare (2026): $8,980
• Cost of food (2026): $1,989
• Other expenses (2026): $10,715

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 13.64%

46. San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $21,393

• Cost of childcare (2026): $9,560
• Cost of food (2026): $1,589
• Other expenses (2026): $10,244

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 2.14%

47. Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $21,216

• Cost of childcare (2026): $8,584
• Cost of food (2026): $2,069
• Other expenses (2026): $10,563

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 2.06%

48. Memphis, TN

Annual cost of raising a child (2026): $19,922

• Cost of childcare (2026): $8,550
• Cost of food (2026): $1,933
• Other expenses (2026): $9,439

One-year change (2025 to 2026): 3.42%

Methodology

SmartAsset used MIT Living Wage Calculator data to compare the living costs of a household with two working adults and one child to those of a childless household with two working adults in 48 of the largest metro areas. The data is as of February 2026 and compares to data from February 2025 and February 2024. Costs include additions for food, housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation and other necessities. Source data providers are not affiliated with, and do not endorse or sponsor, this study or its findings.

This story was produced by SmartAsset and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.