Baby’s First-Year Cost Calculator
Estimate what a baby costs in year one — one-time gear plus monthly childcare, supplies and healthcare — and compare it to the ~$13,000 typical first-year figure.
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Learn moreThe first-year price tag
A baby’s first year commonly runs $13,000–$17,000, and the single largest variable is childcare — which can dwarf everything else in high-cost areas. Gear is mostly one-time, while diapers, formula and childcare are recurring. Government estimates put the total cost of raising a child to age 17 around $237,000 (before college).
How it’s calculated & sources
First-year total = one-time gear + 12 × (monthly childcare + supplies + added healthcare). We flag the largest recurring category and compare to the ~$13k typical first year.
Benchmark: first-year baby costs commonly ~$13,000–$17,000; ~$237,000 to raise a child to 17 (USDA / Brookings updates).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized advice. Verify with a professional.
Worked example
$2,000 of gear plus $1,200/month in childcare, supplies and healthcare totals about $16,400 for the first year — above the ~$13k typical figure, driven by childcare.
Frequently asked questions
Why is childcare so dominant?
Full-time infant care averages ~$800–$1,500+/month depending on region, often the biggest line in the whole budget.
Does this include lost income?
No — if a parent reduces hours or leaves work, that opportunity cost can exceed the direct expenses.
How can I cut first-year costs?
Buy gear secondhand, use a registry, breastfeed if possible, and compare childcare options including family care and shared nannies.