Boston is the Most Expensive Place to Raise a Child in the U.S.

What We’re Showing

The total cost of raising a child in ten of the largest U.S. metros. Costs include food, housing, childcare, healthcare, transportation and other necessities. All figures are as of February 2024.

Methodology

SmartAsset used MIT Living Wage Calculator data to compare the living costs of a household with two working adults and one child to that of a childless household with two working adults in large metro areas. 

Key Takeaways 

• On average, raising a child in a large U.S. metro costs $25,181 per year
• The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA area is the most expensive at $37,758 per year. Childcare costs $22,806 annually, and additional housing needs cost $5,425
• Childcare costs are highest in Washington, DC, where parents spend an average of $24,886 per year on childcare