Child Care Costs in Boston and San Francisco: A 2025 Analysis
Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 11:29
Child Care Costs in Major U.S. Cities
Parents know that raising a child is expensive, but exactly how much does the annual cost of food, childcare, and other expenses add up to? A new analysis from SmartAsset crunched data from 48 of the largest U.S. cities to find out how much money parents across the country are spending annually on raising their children. The answer: families on average spend more than $26,000 a year on child-rearing costs, the personal finance site found. The study also found that such expenses can fluctuate sharply year to year.
Where is it Most Expensive to Raise a Child?
- Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $39,221
- San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $38,981
- San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $37,867
- Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $34,448
- Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $33,149
Where is it Least Expensive to Raise a Child?
- Birmingham, AL: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $19,082
- Memphis, TN: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $19,264
- Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $20,787
- Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $20,821
- San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX: Total annual cost of raising a child in 2025: $20,945
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.