This is how much it costs to raise a child in SC in 2025. See how it compares to other states

Thinking of having a child in the near future?

You’d better have your finances in order — raising a child in the U.S. is more expensive than ever, a new study shows. However, the data also indicates that if you want to save money on raising children, do it in South Carolina.

According to the latest LendingTree study, the annual cost to raise a small child is $29,419, a 35.7% jump from 2023 when the same study was previously conducted.

Daycare costs have risen the most — up 51.8% to $17,836 from $11,752, the study shows. Other big jumps include 29.6% for food and 25% for health insurance premiums.

The value of federal tax credits shrunk by 44.4% over the same period.

“In our 2023 report, tax credits removed $3,600 from the total costs due to the temporary 2021 expansion of the Child Tax Credit, but that figure has returned to $2,000 as of our latest report,” LendingTree states.

Still, South Carolina fares better than most other states when it comes to child care costs, the study shows. Here’s what to know.

Cost to raise a child in SC

South Carolina ranks third among states where families spend the least portion of income to raise a child.

1. District of Columbia: Avg. family income: $208,264; total annual cost: $29,186; percent of income: 14.0%
   
   
2. Georgia: Avg. family income: $120,846; total annual cost: $19,162; percent of income: 14.9%
   
   
3. South Carolina: Avg. family income: $110,261; total annual cost: $17,699; percent of income: 16.1%
   
   

Breakdown of basic cost to raise small child in U.S.

• Rent: $1,128
  
  
• Food: $4,216
  
  
• Day care: $17,836
  
  
• Girls’ apparel: $247
  
  
• Transportation: $4,383
  
  
• Health insurance premiums: $3,609
  
  
• Value of federal tax credit: -$2,000
  
  
• Total annual cost: $29,419
  
  

3 states with highest total annual cost to raise a small child

1. Hawaii: $36,472
   
   
2. Massachusetts: $33,004
   
   
3. Washington: $32,418
   
   

LendingTree study methodology

The study used data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the IRS, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the Tax Foundation.

This story was originally published April 17, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

Patrick McCreless

The State

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Patrick McCreless is the Southeast service journalism editor for McClatchy, who leads and edits a team of six reporters in South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi. The team writes about trending news of the day and topics that help readers in their daily lives and better informs them about their communities. He attended Jacksonville State University in Alabama and grew up in Tuscaloosa, AL.