Resource type
Research and Data
Research Reports
Resource Materials
Cost of Raising a Child Infographic (2.42 MB)
The Cost of Raising a Child
Expenditures on Children by Families provides estimates of the cost of raising children from birth through age 17 for major budgetary components. The most recent version of the report was published in 2017 and estimates the cost of raising children born in 2015. Currently, USDA is evaluating the methods used to inform this report to ensure they reflect best practices in the field.
- 2015
Publication Date Report January 2017 Parents projected to spend $233,610 to raise a child born in 2015.
Expenditures on Children by Families, 2015
Graphics, 2015- 2005-2014
Publication Date Report August 2014 Parents projected to spend $245,340 to raise a child born in 2013.
Expenditures on Children by Families, 2013August 2013 Parents projected to spend $241,080 to raise a child born in 2012.
Expenditures on Children by Families, 2012June 2012 A child born in 2011 will cost $234,900 to raise.
Expenditures on Children by Families, 2011 (604.78 KB)
Press Release (48.03 KB)May 2011 A child born in 2010 will cost $226,920 to raise.
Expenditures on Children by Families, 2010 (791.39 KB)
Press release (150.46 KB)June 2010 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2009 (608.58 KB) July 2009 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2008 (199.56 KB) March 2008 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2007 (2.55 MB)
Press Release (177.42 KB)April 2007 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2006 (1.72 MB) April 2006 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2005 (511.78 KB) - 1995-2004
Publication Date Report April 2005 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2004 (508.32 KB) April 2004 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2003 (133.85 KB) May 2003 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2002 (341.49 KB) May 2002 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2001 (338.79 KB) May 2001 Expenditures on Children by Families, 2000 (136.95 KB) March 2000 Expenditures on Children by Families, 1999 (263.59 KB) March 1999 Expenditures on Children by Families, 1998 (113.55 KB) March 1998 Expenditures on Children by Families, 1997 (111.52 KB) May 1997 Expenditures on Children by Families, 1996 (109.92 KB) April 1996 Expenditures on Children by Families, 1995 (132.26 KB)