Families in the Sebring-Avon Park metro with two youngsters see a total of $77,760 in average annual living costs. That comes out to 64.6% higher than households without kids.
On a relative basis, Minnesota is the most expensive state to raise a child, with a 47.5% increase in living costs for families with one child compared to those without children. Wisconsin (+47.0%) and New York (+46.4%) follow closely. States in the Northeast and West, such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Colorado, California, and Nevada, also rank high on the list.
Locations in the South are comparatively far more affordable for families with kids. In Mississippi, it only costs parents an additional 27.6% annually to support a child. Among the nation’s largest metro areas, Orlando, Florida, and Nashville, Tennessee, have the smallest percentage increases, both rank below 33%.
According to a recent Pew Research survey, 36% of adults aged 18 to 49 who do not have children cited affordability as a top reason for their decision. At the same time, data from the Federal Reserve² shows that only 64% of existing parents reported doing at least “OK” financially in 2023 — that’s down from 75% in 2021. It’s the lowest level since 2016.
While the high cost of childcare — often exceeding $1,000 per month in some areas — receives the bulk of attention, families with kids also must manage other expenses. Those included housing, food, healthcare, and transportation, among other things.
Using data from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the analysis examined how annual living costs differ between 2-adult households with and without children. It factored in all essential costs across major U.S. metropolitan areas and states in the country.
