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California Families Spend $33,692 Annually to Raise a Child

4/11/2026

50 12 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

California families spend about $33,692 per year to raise a child during the first five years.
Nationally, raising a child from birth to age 18 costs about $303,418, or roughly $16,857 per year, with Mississippi and Alabama cheaper.
Costs rose 1.9% over the past year, affecting 39 states and the District of Columbia.
Housing, child care, and insurance drive high costs.
Nebraska, Montana, Maine, and Wisconsin have seen double-digit increases.

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Story summary

California families spend about $33,692 per year to raise a child during the first five years.
Nationally, raising a child from birth to age 18 costs about $303,418, or roughly $16,857 per year, with Mississippi and Alabama cheaper.
Costs rose 1.9% over the past year, affecting 39 states and the District of Columbia.
Housing, child care, and insurance drive high costs.
Nebraska, Montana, Maine, and Wisconsin have seen double-digit increases.