Many parents worry about saving for college, but don’t forget about the proceeding 17 years! Food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities will cost $233,610 for a child born in 2015 to a middle-income family.

This week the the U.S. Department of Agriculture released their annual report where they total up the cost that parents pay to raise a child from birth to age 17.

• The annual expense per child ranges from $9,330 to $9,980 on average (depending on age; $174,690 total!) for households with an annual income less than $59,200.
• The annual cost increases to $12,350 to $13,900 ($233,610 total!) for households with income up to $107,400.
• The annual cost increases yet again to $19,380 to $23,380 ($372,210 total!) for households with annual income greater than $107,400.

Housing, childcare & education, and food comprise 63% of the expenses.

It’s interesting to compare the costs of raising a child born in 1960 (the year the USDA study first started) to a child of 2015. The total cost has increased 16% from $202,020 in 1960 (in 2015 dollars) to $233,610 in 2015.

• Housing was the largest expense on a child in both time periods (decreasing from 31% in 1960 to 29% in 2015)
• Food was the second largest expense (decreasing from 24% to 18%)
• Childcare & education has surged from only 2% in 1960 to 16% in 2015
• Healthcare has doubled from 4% in 1960 to 9% in 2015