April 7, 2026 — Raising a child from birth through age 18 now carries an estimated price tag of $303,418, LendingTree reports — the first time their calculation has exceeded $300,000. That total averages about $16,857 per year and is roughly 2% higher than a year ago.
LendingTree’s estimate models typical expenses for a couple earning the U.S. median family income (about $100,000) and factors in tax offsets. It excludes college: with the average U.S. college cost near $38,000 per year, higher education could add about $152,000 to the overall bill.
Public sentiment mirrors the financial strain. A CBS News poll in February found 77% of respondents say it’s harder to raise a family today than for previous generations. Earlier LendingTree research also showed many parents facing tight finances, with some taking on debt to cover child care and other child-related expenses.
“The cost of raising a child for 18 years has climbed to more than $300,000, and that steady rise puts tremendous strain on Americans’ budgets,” said Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst.
Costs vary significantly by state. LendingTree found Alaska, Kansas and Montana experienced increases of more than 20% year over year, while Hawaii is now the most expensive state, with an estimated cost of $412,661 to raise a child in 2026.
Some child-related expenses have eased. Infant child care is projected to cost $17,264 in 2026, about $572 less than the previous year. LendingTree also estimates the average annual cost to raise a child during the first five years is $29,325, a slight 0.3% decline.
For context, the median household income in 2024 was $83,730, and the estimated cost of raising a child now approaches the U.S. median home sales price of $356,000 (Zillow, Jan. 31).
LendingTree’s analysis draws on 2024 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics and other government, nonprofit and academic sources.
Edited by Aimee Picchi
Topics: Child Care; Affordable Housing