Raising a child now costs over $300,000, study finds

(NewsNation) — Raising a child in the U.S. now costs more than $300,000, according to a new study.

Research from LendingTree found the bump came even after tax exemptions and credits, despite the cost of the first five years dipping slightly.

“Our 2026 report, which primarily includes data from 2024, finds that expenses associated with raising a child for 18 years add up to $303,418, up 1.9% from $297,674 in last year’s report, which primarily used data from 2023,” LendingTree wrote in the study.

The analysis also indicated the overall 18-year cost of raising a child has risen 27.8 percent from 2023 to the present. In terms of the most expensive states to raise a child, Hawaii topped the list, followed by Maryland and Massachusetts.

“Parents in Hawaii face the highest costs, averaging $40,342 per year for those first five years,” researchers noted. “Maryland and Massachusetts are closest, at $36,419 and $34,247, respectively.”

Over the last year, 14 states saw year-over-year cost increases of up to 10 percent.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

China, Russia sink UN vote on Strait of Hormuz; 10 countries join US in support

House Democrat says he has filed articles of impeachment against Trump

Democrats build on overperformance streak in Wisconsin, Georgia elections

Spanberger drop in approval rating ‘stunning’: Sabato

Trump says he’s considering ‘joint venture’ with Iran for Strait of ...

Hegseth claims ‘historic and overwhelming victory’ after Iran ceasefire

House Democrat slams ‘TACO’ jokes about Trump’s ceasefire with Iran

Live updates: Hegseth calls Iran operation an 'overwhelming victory' in first ...

Cook Political Report shifts 5 House races toward Democrats

Trump: There will be no enrichment of uranium in Iran

Yes, the moon rotates. So why don’t we ever see the far side?

GOP’s Clay Fuller to replace Taylor Greene in Congress

Why so many Americans now sympathize with the villain

Democrats expand majority on Wisconsin Supreme Court with Taylor victory

RFK Jr. moves to broaden CDC vaccine panel eligibility after federal judge ...

Freedom Caucus calls for full DHS funding in GOP-only bill, rejecting ...

White House budget would cut thousands of TSA jobs: What to know

Trump’s gone too far: Invoke the 25th Amendment before it’s too late

The Hill Podcasts – Morning Report

© The Hill