Raising a child in Dallas-Fort Worth will cost an estimated $22,337 in 2025 — up nearly 2% from this year, according to a new SmartAsset report.
The figure reflects a 1.87% increase from the $21,926 it cost in 2024, according to the study.
“Common costs associated with raising a child – such as childcare, additional food, medical costs, housing and more – can add up to tens of thousands of dollars per year. This makes raising a child a relatively expensive line-item anywhere, but in some metro areas these costs can be double those in others,” read the report.
Despite rising costs, Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington ranked No. 38 nationally — down from No. 35 last year — making it less expensive than many major metros.
The most expensive metro in the U.S. was Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts, where raising a child is projected to cost $39,221 in 2025 — up nearly 4% from $37,758 in 2024. At $23,800, childcare alone in Boston outpaces the total cost of raising a child in North Texas, which also includes housing, food, transportation, and medical care.
“What’s more, the cost of raising a child can change quickly, making it important for budding families to keep an eye on trends in their locale. Between 2024 and 2025 alone, the average projected annual cost of raising a small child changed by a range of -15% to +22%, depending on the metro area,” the report continued.
St. Louis, Missouri, saw one of the largest jumps, with costs rising 22.45% — from $19,858 in 2024 to $24,317 in 2025.
Within Texas, Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos is the priciest metro, where raising a child in 2025 is expected to cost $24,188 — nearly 8% more than in 2024.
Though DFW ranks lower nationally, costs continue to climb — and experts warn that families should expect future increases as inflation and childcare demand rise.