THE COST OF RAISING A CHILD

A new study by LendingTree finds the average annual essential costs to raise a small child rose nearly 20% between 2016 and 2021. The study took into account the cost of food, clothing, transportation, child care, health care, among other factors.
– The cost of raising a child in 2021 equaled $30,506 per year in Hawaii, more than any other state. The District of Columbia and the state of Washington followed at $30,097 and $28,116, respectively.
– The costs were lowest in Mississippi at $15,555 per year, Alabama at $16,192 and Arkansas at $16,284.
– It costs an average $237,482 over 18 years to raise a child. Again, it’s highest in Hawaii at $314,529 and lowest in South Carolina at $169,327.
* South Carolinians better started learning to do the hula – here come the Hawaiians!
* “Hey, Zack – get out there and set up a lemonade stand!”
* If only the grocery bills didn’t triple when they become teenagers.
* What about wolves? What if you let your child be raised by wolves?