Average cost to raise a child now tops $300,000, study finds

A new study has found that the average cost to raise a child through age 18 now exceeds $300,000. LendingTree conducted this analysis, which indicates a significant financial burden for families. The study highlights that Hawaii is the most expensive state, with an estimated cost of $412,661 to raise a child in 2026. This financial benchmark underscores the substantial long-term expenses parents face in raising children to adulthood.