The cost of bringing up baby
Bankrate.com

Estimated cost of raising a baby
These numbers are from a U.S. Department of Agriculture report, and are based on 1990-92 data, updated to 1998 dollars. These figures represent the younger child in a two-child family. For two children, the expenses are about the same for each child. To estimate expenses for an only child, multiply by 1.24. To estimate expenses for a child in a family with three or more children, multiply by .77. The miscellaneous category includes personal care items, entertainment and reading materials.
Before-tax income: Less than $36,000 ($22,500 average)
Age of child	Total	Housing	Food	Transportation	Clothing	Health care	Child care and education	Miscellaneous
0-2	$5,950	$2,270	$850	$720	$390	$410	$720	$590
3-5	6,060	2,240	940	690	380	390	820	600
6-8	6,180	2,170	1,210	810	420	450	480	640
9-11	6,210	1,960	1,450	880	470	490	290	670
12-14	7,020	2,180	1,520	990	780	500	210	840
15-17	6,920	1,760	1,650	1,330	690	530	340	620
Total	$115,020	$37,740	$22,860	$16,260	$9,390	$8,310	$8,580	$11,880
Before-tax income: $36,000 to $60,600 ($47,900 average)
0-2	$8,240	$3,070	$1,010	$ 1,070	$450	$540	$1,190	$910
3-5	8,460	3,040	1,170	1,040	440	520	1,320	930
6-8	8,520	2,970	1,490	1,160	490	590	850	970
9-11	8,470	2,760	1,750	1,230	540	640	550	1,000
12-14	9,200	2,980	1,770	1,330	910	640	400	1,170
15-17	9,340	2,560	1,960	1,690	810	680	700	940
Total	$156,690	$52,140	$27,450	$22,560	$10,920	$10,830	$ 17,760.00	$17,760
Before-tax income: More than $60,600 ($90,700 average)
0-2	$12,260	$4,880	$1,340	$ 1,490	$600	$620	$1,800	$1,530
3-5	12,530	4,850	1,520	1,470	580	600	1,960	1,550
6-8	12,440	4,780	1,830	1,580	640	680	1,350	1,580
9-11	12,320	4,570	2,120	1,650	700	730	940	1,610
12-14	13,170	4,790	2,230	1,760	1,150	740	720	1,780
15-17	13,510	4,370	2,350	2,130	1,050	780	1,270	1,560
Total	$228,690	$84,720	$34,170	$30,240	$14,160	$12,450	$24,120	$28,830

-- Posted: May 3, 1999