Map reveals most -- and least -- expensive states to raise a child
The cost of raising a child in the United States has climbed sharply, with new data showing wide differences depending on where families live. Hawaii came out as the most expensive state to raise a small child in 2024, with an estimated annual cost of $40,342 while Mississippi was the cheapest ($17,148), according to a report by the financial services site LendingTree. The findings highlight how geography plays a major role in family finances, with some states costing nearly twice as much as others.