National Cost of Raising a Child is $303K: Nevada Ranks 27th in the Country at $245K

The average cost of raising a child now totals $303,418, up approximately 2% from last year’s estimate of $297,674.

An analysis by LendingTree calculates the total expenses directly tied to raising a child, including housing, food, child care, transportation, health insurance, and clothing, while subtracting the value of federal tax exemptions and credits.

In the breakdown of where the money goes, families face an annual cost of $29,325 during the first five years of a child’s life. After that, the yearly cost drops to $12,061 for the remaining 13 years. Annual average costs include $4,208 for food, $17,264 for infant day care, $4,422 for transportation, and $3,638 for health insurance premiums. Overall, families spend about 22% of their income on these basic child-related costs during the first five years.

Costs vary wildly by state. Hawaii tops the list at $412,661 over 18 years, followed by Alaska, Maryland, and California at $312,300. At the low end are New Hampshire, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama.

Nevada’s estimated cost to raise a child stands at $245,822 over 18 years, making it the 27th most expensive state. Despite this mid-tier ranking, many families face significant pressure due to persistently high housing costs in Reno and Las Vegas.

These cities continue to draw new residents and benefit from strong tourism-driven economic growth, which has kept local rent and housing prices elevated. The LendingTree study specifically links higher housing costs to increased child-rearing expenses nationwide. As a result, working families in the Reno-Sparks area and Las Vegas Valley are wrestling with the same rent and child care pressures that drive up the national average.

The findings come at a critical time for Nevada policymakers. Child care access and affordability remain hot-button issues with lawmakers debating subsidies, home-based day care reforms, and early education funding. Because Nevada’s median household income lags the national figure used in the study, the annual cost in a child’s early years hits local families especially hard.

The report’s focus on tax credits highlights ongoing debates in Carson City over family tax relief. With inflation and high housing costs still pressuring budgets across Northern and Southern Nevada, the data underscores the need for targeted state action, such as expanded child care grants, housing incentives, and workforce policies that support working parents. As the 2027 legislative session approaches, child-rearing affordability is expected to remain a major topic in state politics.