Money Matters - Cost to Raise a Child by Metro Area

SmartAsset today released its 2026 study on what it costs to raise a child in 48 of the nation’s largest metro areas, including where costs are highest and where they have risen fastest over the past year.

 

Among the study’s key findings: 

• In the San Francisco metro area, the cost of raising a child is $43,171, the highest in the nation. Next door, San Jose ranks No. 3 at $41,817.
• Indianapolis saw the biggest spike in child-rearing costs, with the cost of raising a child jumping 21% between 2025 and 2026.
• Only two metro areas saw the cost of raising a child decline from 2025 to 2026: Richmond, Virginia (-2%), and Virginia Beach (-1%).

See the full study and how each city compares: https://smartasset.com/data-studies/cost-of-raising-a-child-in-major-u-s-metros-2026-study