Raising a family can be quite costly, particularly in these cities. Child care expenses are especially high in these regions.

Raising children is deeply fulfilling, yet it can be financially draining, with some U.S. cities being more expensive than others. Housing, transportation, and child care costs contribute significantly to this burden.

According to recent data from a nonprofit think tank, a typical two-parent, two-child family needs between $50,000 and over $140,000 annually just to cover basic expenses, excluding savings and other financial goals.

“This doesn’t equate to a middle-class lifestyle,” notes an economist. “It merely reflects the cost of living without savings.”

The research analyzed over 600 metropolitan areas, assessing the cost of living based on housing, child care, food, transportation, healthcare, and other essential items like school supplies and clothing, as well as taxes.

Interestingly, child care ranks as the top expense for families in many areas: in 500 out of 618 regions studied, it was identified as the largest annual cost, averaging around $12,500 nationwide, and exceeding $35,000 in certain cities.

Most Expensive Cities for Family Living

Here are the ten U.S. locations where raising two children is most expensive. Many of these places are near major urban centers.

1. San Mateo County, California

Leading the list, San Mateo County requires families to spend $13,024 monthly just to get by. Child care costs are particularly steep, averaging $21,444 each year.

2. Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska

This Alaskan region is the second most expensive for raising two children, with families needing $9,460 monthly, totaling $113,520 annually. Child care costs average $1,739 per month, while the typical household income is $88,678.

3. San Francisco

San Francisco is notorious for its exorbitant housing prices, which are the highest in the nation, averaging $141,324 annually. Families here spend approximately $20,064 per year on child care, offering a slight relief compared to other cities.

4. Nassau County, New York

This suburban area outside New York City sees families spending about $11,702 monthly. High child care expenses, averaging $2,908 per month, significantly contribute to its high cost of living.

5. New York City

In New York City, families need $139,788 annually for basic living. The average monthly child care cost is a staggering $3,041.

6. Suffolk County, New York

Similar to Nassau County, Suffolk County is also expensive, especially with child care averaging $34,476 each year. Families here spend about $11,564 monthly.

7. Putnam County, New York

In Putnam County, a family requires $138,756 annually to cover expenses, with child care costing around $2,708 monthly.

8. Rockland County, New York

Rockland County ranks eighth in the nation, costing families $11,298 monthly, with child care alone averaging $2,826.

9. Queens, New York

Living in Queens is costly, with annual expenses for a family reaching $129,324. The median income in this area is $67,780.

10. Westchester County, New York

This suburban county, like Long Island, is expensive, requiring an average of $129,168 annually. Child care costs here average $32,688, contributing to the high living expenses.