How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child?

Raising a child is an expensive proposition, but not always for the reason one might think. It can cost anywhere from $0 to over $200,000 per child, with the average cost hovering around $60,000. Of course, there are many factors that go into raising a child – from housing and food costs to daycare and schools – but one of the most important costs is childcare. Indeed, according to a report by Bankrate.com, the average cost of full-time childcare in 2015 was $12,980 per year.

List of Monthly Child Expenses:

Every family has their own unique expenses that must be taken into account when budgeting for a child. These vary depending on the age and needs of the child. This list of monthly child expenses is just a starting point. You will need to figure out what works best for your family.

Medical

With Medical Costs constantly on the rise, it can be difficult for parents to budget for them. Monthly costs for raising a child range from $130- $1,000 per month. However, these expenses can be lowered with careful planning and by choosing medical providers who offer lower rates.

Some common medical expenses incurred by parents include doctor visits, prescriptions, hospital stays, and tests. For example, a family of four may incur $2,500 in monthly costs if they have two doctor visits each month and four prescriptions filled. This same family would only incur $750 if they only had one doctor visit per month and one prescription filled. It is important to compare costs before making any decisions about healthcare providers or insurance policies. 

Parents also need to be aware of their insurance policy’s coverage limits.

Maternity Clothes

Raising a child is expensive, no matter what you do. The average American family spends over $11,000 per year on food, housing, transportation, healthcare, and other expenses. Add in the cost of raising a child and it becomes clear that parenting is not cheap. But what about maternity clothes? How much do they cost monthly?

The average maternity dress costs between $50-$200. A pair of maternity jeans will set you back about $85, while a maternity shirt will run you about $30. Pregnancy tests can be as high as $8 each and diapers can range from around $12 for newborns to nearly $60 for one-year-olds. All told, bringing a baby into the world costs around $1300 per month

Housing 

Raising a child can cost a lot of money, depending on the location and size of the home. Nationwide, parents spend an average of $1,039 per month on housing costs for their children, according to data from The Daily Review. That’s more than double the amount they spend on food.

Food

The average cost of food for a baby over the course of a month can amount to around $120. This includes both fresh and packaged foods. Infant formula, snacks, and other perishables can also add up quickly. While some parents opt to buy pre-packaged meals or make their own meals using generic ingredients, 

The most recent government estimates of food costs for one week are below the table:

For One Child,
(Age)
 

Most recent government estimates of food costs for one week (U.S. Average)

Thrifty PlanLow-cost plan Moderate cost planLiberal plan
1 year$20 – $22$25 – $30$33.30 – $35$40.50
2-3 years$24 – $25$30 – $32$37.10 – $ 38$45.00
4-5 years$25 – $26$31 – $32$39.60 – $40$47.90
6-8 years$32.00 – $33$44.40$53.90$63.60
9-11 years$36.20$48.00$62.60$72.80
12-13 years$38.90$55.30$69.20$81.40
14-18 years$40.10$56.00$70.80$82.00

Baby Gear

In order to raise a child, one will need to purchase a variety of baby gear. This can range from diapers to cribs and even car seats. Raising a child is not cheap. The average cost of baby gear can add up quickly, especially if you’re buying items regularly. Here’s a look at the top five most common baby gear items, and their respective monthly costs.

  1. Stroller: The average stroller costs $64 per month. 
  2. Carseat:  The average car seat costs $80 per month. 
  3. Diapers: The average diaper costs $30 per month. 
  4. Bottles: The average bottle costs $18 per month. 
  5. Wipes: The average wipes cost $11 per month.

Health Insurance

Health insurance for children is expensive. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average out-of-pocket cost for children under 18 years old with health insurance is $96 per month. This includes premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. For a family of four, that amounts to $4,160 per year. If you’re not covered by your employer or government health insurance, the cost of coverage can be much higher

Life Insurance

When you are considering child life insurance, it is important to understand the monthly cost. The amount of money you need to pay monthly is most important. The higher the monthly premium, the longer it will take you to recuperate from a loss. However, if your child has an accident or other medical problem while they are at school, their needs will be covered by insurance. 

The monthly cost of child life insurance varies depending on the coverage amount, the age of the child, and the insurance company. Typically, premiums range from $5 to $30 per month.

Child life insurance is a type of policy that provides financial protection in the event that a child dies. It can help cover funeral costs and other expenses that may be incurred after a child’s death.

Educational Costs

Parents are always on the lookout for ways to save money and get their children the best education possible. Unfortunately, many families have no idea how much it costs to raise a child each month. Education and early learning expenses can be difficult to measure, especially because so much of this expense is unplanned. Calculate how much it would cost for your children to attend the same school as your own to estimate the education costs.

To answer this question, you need to know the average cost of education in your state and the average amount of time that children spend in school each day. Then, you can compare this figure with the amount of money you would spend on a private school or at home-schooling. If you spent twice as much on a child’s education as the average cost of education in your state.

The cost of early childhood education can be expensive, depending on the location and type of center. Licensed center-based infant child care has a national monthly average cost of $1,324 according to the Center for American Progress. Nationwide, the average monthly cost for full-time care is $1,328. The highest costs are in New York City ($2,717) and Los Angeles ($2,609). In contrast, the lowest costs are in Mississippi ($836) and Utah ($984).

Minimum Salary to Raise a Child

Minimum Salary to Raise a Child

Raising a child can cost a lot of money. In fact, according to the 2016 National Low Income Family Assistance Survey, the minimum wage would have to be $15.10 per hour to raise a child under the age of 18 without any additional assistance. However, with some creative budgeting and planning, parents can raise children significantly less than that amount. Here are six tips for raising children on a minimum wage: 

  • Live below your means – One of the best ways to save money is to live below your means. This means cutting back on unnecessary expenses and making sure you’re only spending what you need. If you can’t afford to raise your child on minimum wage, try to at least keep up with the cost of living by avoiding high-cost items and sticking to simple meals and snacks. 
  • Eat well – A child’s diet is often dictated by the parents, so it makes sense to make sure you’re providing your child with the best possible nutrition. 
  • Make grocery shopping a priority – Using the money you have to feed your child will be much more difficult if you don’t keep a steady supply of food on hand. Keep in mind that a family is considered low-income if it spends less than 10% of its income on food. 
  • Get your child’s medical care covered – This is a difficult one because the need for health insurance is often not discussed with young children. 
  • Keep the heat on – In winter, the temperature in your home can drop to dangerous levels. Make sure you have enough blankets and heating sources for everyone. 
  • Take your child to school – Children living in poverty are more likely to miss school than those from wealthier families. This can have a negative impact on their education and future job prospects. Source: The Federal Reserve Bank of St.

Budgeting for a New Baby

Budgeting for a New Baby

When it comes to budgeting for a new baby, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the average cost of a baby’s first year is $12,000, so start planning for that right away. Second, you’ll need to think about things like diapers, wipes, formula, clothes, and accessories. Third, expect your expenses to increase as your child gets older and starts requiring more specialized care. 

And finally, don’t forget about unexpected costs like hospital bills or childbirth expenses. By preparing ahead of time and keeping track of your expenses, you’ll be well on your way to having a financially stable new arrival!

Average Cost of a Child per Month

The average cost of a child is around $1,334 per month or $16,005 per year. Depending on the location and size of the family, this expense can increase or decrease. Families who have more than one child will likely pay more than families with one child. The total cost of raising a child from birth to 18 years is typically between $245,380 and $871,840.

Cost of Raising a Child by Country

Cost of Raising a Child by Country

In some countries, the cost of raising a child can be quite expensive.

In the United States, for example, it can cost around $240,000 to raise a child from birth to 18 years old. That’s not including college tuition or other costs associated with getting an education. In some other countries, raising a child doesn’t come with such high costs.

  • In Norway, the average cost of raising a child is just $12,000 per year.
  • In The United Kingdom, it costs just under $11,000 per year to raise a child.
  • In Germany, the cost of raising a child is around $8,000 per year. In other countries, however, the cost of raising a child can be much higher. 
  • In Russia, for example, the average cost of raising a child is over $40,000 per year
  • In Japan, the cost of raising a child is around $41,000 per year.
  • In The United States, the average cost of raising a child is close to $50,000 per year.

Frequently asked questions:

How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child Monthly?

It costs about $245 per month to raise a child, not including college expenses. This number covers food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities.

Average Cost to Raise a Child per Year

There is no one answer to this question since the cost of raising a child varies so much from family to family. However, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 is about $245,000. This amount includes expenses for housing, food, clothing, transportation, and other necessities.

 

Final Words

It costs a lot of money to raise a child. While the amount may vary depending on each family’s individual situation, it is safe to say that raising a child is not cheap. There are many expenses that come along with parenting, such as food, clothing, and healthcare. In order to properly provide for a child, parents need to budget carefully and make sacrifices.

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