Staying Healthy Parents News Now Census: Cost of Raising a Child Is $226,920 By Holly Lebowitz Rossi Published on November 20, 2011 Share Tweet Pin Email Census data analyzed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture has calculated that the average cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 is currently $226,920. But although that sounds like a high number, Forbes blogger Tom Barlow has determined that it's not functionally any higher than the cost of raising a child in 1960. From Barlow's blog: According to the U.S. Census, the median income of families in 1960 was $5,600; in 2010, it was $49,445. Adjusted for inflation, though, the 1960 income would be $41,253.84 in 2010 dollars; not a huge amount different from current day income.In 1960, the projected cost to raise a child to the age of 18, in 2010 dollars, was $185,856. This means that in 1960 a child would have cost 450% of a year's income, vs. today's 459% of annual income. This isn't a huge difference. This should come as some solace to would-be parents. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit