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Price of raising kids went up. Average, most and least expensive, and Nebraska #s in blog.

By Austin Michael Apr 13, 2026 | 2:01 PM
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According to the numbers that Lending Tree has run, the average cost of raising a kid in the US is now $303,418. That’s from birth to 18 years old. That’s almost 2% higher than last year.

That doesn’t even count the tariffs if you adopt a child from another country.

Kidding.

Actually, be glad you’re in Nebraska because it’s way more expensive in some other states like Hawaii where it’s $412,661. In Alaska, it’s $365,047. Most of that is sweaters and moon boots.

Kidding.

The cost in Nebraska is $294, 926. It’s a bit cheaper because we let out children roam corn fields the first 2 years of their lives. Or was that just my family?

Kidding.

And the lowest cost to raise a kid to 18 years old can be found in New Hampshire for $201,963.

Childcare costs are considered the most expensive aspect of rearing a child in every state.