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Raising one child from birth through age 18 is projected to cost $303,418 nationally, according to LendingTree’s 2026 estimate. The modeled total ranges from $201,963 in New Hampshire to $412,661 in Hawaii—a difference of $210,698. Six jurisdictions top $300,000, so a family’s location can materially change its budget even before differences in income, housing choices or childcare arrangements are considered.
What does the 2026 estimate for raising a child include?
The estimate models a married, two-earner household with one child and median family income of $99,999. It is a standardized comparison rather than a bill for any particular family. LendingTree’s analysis mainly uses 2024 data and is not adjusted for inflation.
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Costs counted in the model
- Rent attributable to a household with a child
- Food
- Infant daycare
- Clothing
- Transportation
- Health-insurance premiums
- State tax exemptions and credits, which are subtracted from the estimate
Costs left out
The total does not include college, extracurricular activities or the federal child tax credit. It also does not model every household type, such as a single-parent family, a household with several children or parents who provide all childcare themselves.
Which states are the most and least expensive for raising a child?
Hawaii has the highest projected 18-year cost at $412,661. New Hampshire has the lowest at $201,963. The gap between them is slightly more than $210,000, but the ranking should be read as a comparison of the same modeled household—not a guarantee that moving will produce those savings.
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The six jurisdictions above $300,000 are:
- Hawaii: $412,661
- Alaska: $365,047
- Maryland: $326,360
- California: $312,300
- New Jersey: $312,295
- Kansas: $303,250
How much does it cost to raise a child in every state?
The table shows LendingTree’s projected cost through age 18 and the modeled annual cost during the first five years. The annual column is not an 18-year average; it highlights the period when infant care and other early-childhood expenses are concentrated. The comparison includes the District of Columbia alongside the 50 states.
| Rank | State or D.C. | Estimated 18-year cost | Annual cost, first five years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $412,661 | $40,342 |
| 2 | Alaska | $365,047 | $29,024 |
| 3 | Maryland | $326,360 | $36,419 |
| 4 | California | $312,300 | $33,692 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $312,295 | $31,948 |
| 6 | Kansas | $303,250 | $27,793 |
| 7 | Washington | $297,341 | $31,937 |
| 8 | Arizona | $294,982 | $27,917 |
| 9 | Nebraska | $294,926 | $29,491 |
| 10 | Montana | $293,926 | $27,220 |
| 11 | Connecticut | $293,728 | $29,674 |
| 12 | Maine | $289,573 | $27,448 |
| 13 | Colorado | $285,293 | $31,000 |
| 14 | Florida | $280,280 | $24,968 |
| 15 | New York | $278,051 | $30,209 |
| 16 | Idaho | $278,023 | $23,107 |
| 17 | Utah | $276,509 | $25,588 |
| 18 | Massachusetts | $273,981 | $34,247 |
| 19 | Virginia | $266,117 | $26,915 |
| 20 | Indiana | $264,147 | $26,576 |
| 21 | Minnesota | $262,330 | $29,322 |
| 22 | Wyoming | $262,014 | $23,789 |
| 23 | Missouri | $261,380 | $24,473 |
| 24 | North Dakota | $259,123 | $23,278 |
| 25 | Oregon | $257,569 | $28,393 |
| 26 | West Virginia | $254,005 | $21,651 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $253,332 | $27,047 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $249,441 | $24,626 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $247,998 | $22,712 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $245,738 | $27,003 |
| 31 | Nevada | $244,944 | $22,751 |
| 32 | Illinois | $244,826 | $27,906 |
| 33 | Louisiana | $242,450 | $21,303 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $241,405 | $21,218 |
| 35 | Delaware | $235,920 | $25,108 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $235,164 | $22,545 |
| 37 | Michigan | $233,218 | $22,673 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $232,131 | $22,097 |
| 39 | Texas | $229,891 | $20,968 |
| 40 | Vermont | $229,428 | $26,259 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $226,354 | $19,204 |
| 42 | Ohio | $224,228 | $22,409 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $222,976 | $18,622 |
| 44 | Georgia | $222,713 | $20,365 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $218,588 | $21,909 |
| 46 | Iowa | $215,443 | $21,137 |
| 47 | Alabama | $212,121 | $18,019 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $208,621 | $17,148 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $204,213 | $18,910 |
| 50 | District of Columbia | $202,115 | $30,146 |
| 51 | New Hampshire | $201,963 | $22,805 |
Why did the projected cost change in the latest estimate?
The national projection rose 1.9% from $297,674 in the prior report and is 27.8% higher than LendingTree’s first report. Housing was the largest recent source of pressure: the extra rent associated with households with children increased 48.9% to $1,680 per year.
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Infant daycare moved in the opposite direction, falling 3.2% to $17,264 per year. Even with that decline, childcare remains especially important in the first five years, which is why the early-years annual figures can look very different from a state’s full 18-year total.
Matt Schulz, LendingTree chief consumer finance analyst, said the costs are “just taking a toll, clearly, on people.”
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How should you use the state ranking when making a family budget?
Use the figures as a consistent starting point, then replace the model’s assumptions with your own numbers. The most useful checks are:
- Total 18-year cost: Compare the broad burden across locations.
- First-five-years annual cost: Stress-test the years when infant care and parental-leave decisions matter most.
- Housing: Check the rent or mortgage for the home your family would actually need, rather than relying on a statewide average.
- Childcare: Price the type of care and schedule available near your job and home.
- Taxes and credits: Review state benefits separately from the federal child tax credit, which this estimate excludes.
- Household fit: Adjust for income, family structure, number of children and whether a parent will provide care.
Can your family expect to spend exactly the amount shown?
No. These are modeled estimates, not invoices or guarantees. A family with a different income, housing arrangement, health plan, childcare choice or number of children can land substantially above or below the listed amount. The figures are most reliable for comparing the same hypothetical household across jurisdictions, not for predicting an individual family’s exact spending.
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What should you check before treating a state as “cheaper”?
A lower statewide estimate does not automatically mean a move will save money. Compare the costs that would change for your household—housing, childcare, commuting, health coverage and taxes—alongside wages, employment prospects and relocation expenses. Also remember that the report’s underlying data mainly reflect 2024 conditions, so prices may have shifted since then.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the estimate include the cost of a second child?
No. The model covers one child. A second child could add food, clothing, healthcare and care costs, while some housing and transportation expenses might be shared, so the total would not necessarily double.
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Why is the District of Columbia included in a list of states?
The comparison covers all 50 states plus D.C. Including the federal district gives readers a complete jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction view, but D.C. is not a state and has different government and tax structures.
Can I use the first-five-years number to plan parental leave?
It can help identify the period of greatest modeled annual spending, but it does not estimate lost wages or the details of an employer’s leave policy. Add those income effects and your likely care arrangement to a personal cash-flow plan.
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Are these projections stated in 2026 dollars?
The estimate was released in 2026, but LendingTree says the dollars are not inflation-adjusted and the analysis mainly uses 2024 data. Treat the figures as a standardized benchmark rather than a forward-looking price guarantee.
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