$160,000 Each: How Much Does It Cost To Raise a Kid?

We just can’t get enough of the debate: How much does it cost to raise a child? Sure, the U.S. Department of Agriculture gathered the data (about $221,000 for 18 years), but no one agrees on the total. One thing is for sure: From childcare to college, kids are a financial drain.

Infants Are the Cheapest

And of course, Visual Economics has their own insight, complete with an age-bracket breakdown of childhood expenses and the easy-to-read organization we hold so dear. From their data summary:

During the time from birth through age two, it costs about $11,700 to raise the younger child in a family that earns a middle class income and has two parents and two children. While this sounds like a lot of money, this is actually the least expensive three-year period in a child’s life.

To see the full-size infographic, head on over to Visual Economics! Click here.

Tell us in the comments: Do you think that a child should have everything a parent could possibly afford to provide? Or should parents exercise restraint?

Posted in: , , , , , ,

Recommended Infographics

New Today

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

    • Segastar3

      Your definetely right except…
      Well maybe a person who is going to raise a baby would like to know what to expect
      I guess I see your point.I came here cause I was curious

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.

  • Anonymous

    Is there anyone reading this who actually would propose that parents *not* show consumer restraint? I hope not! Some of the most important things a good parent must teach a child are things that do not have a literal price tag and the teaching of which, moreover, can be made impossible by the purchase of every possible thing a parent may be able to afford.

    Self-restraint, patience, work ethic, budgeting, accepting delayed gratification in pursuit of a larger goal… I believe children who grow up with low skills in these areas are often the same children whose parents showered them with every material item they were able to buy–regardless of whether these items made a positive impact in the children’s lives. It’s beyond me that some parents don’t realize the reason we use the word “spoiled” is because it means “ruined,” “damaged,” or “gone bad,” and not because it means “pampered” or “loved,” which it doesn’t.