The Most Comprehensive Baby Costs Calculator

Plan costs for your baby’s first year with our interactive baby budget calculator!

---

  By: Tali Ditye, Ph.D., Co-founder

  Updated: October 15, 2025

Mommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

Welcoming a baby is one of life’s greatest joys, but also one of its biggest financial adjustments.

Between diapers, childcare, and setting up the nursery, the first year can be surprisingly expensive. Our Baby Budget Calculator helps you estimate your personalized costs and plan ahead with confidence.

When you're done, explore our guides on the best baby products of the year to get ready for your next steps!

Baby Budget Calculator: Estimate the First Year's Costs

Try the Baby Cost Calculator

Scroll up to use our comprehensive Baby Budget Calculator. You can start simple or explore advanced options that estimate costs across childcare, feeding, diapering, gear, and miscellaneous expenses. Adjust your lifestyle preferences between budget, mid-level, or premium, and instantly see how your total changes.

How the Budget Calculator Works

The Baby Budget Calculator combines real-world data, cost-of-living averages, and customizable preferences to estimate your baby’s first-year expenses.

Each major category, like childcare, feeding, diapering, and baby gear, uses estimated market prices and typical usage quantities for one year.

• Monthly Costs: Ongoing expenses like childcare, diapers, feeding supplies, and basic toiletries.
• One-Time Costs: Larger items such as a crib, stroller, and car seat.
• Customization: Choose your spending level for baby gear (Budget, Average, or Premium) to see how your annual total shifts. Select your state to use pre-defined regional childcare cost estimates.
• Outputs: Instantly see your monthly and first-year totals, category breakdowns, and printable results.

Hover over the pie chart to view category estimates or scroll down to see a clear summary of annual costs.

Cost Categories Explained

The calculator breaks your estimated first-year baby costs into five key categories:

• Childcare: Includes full-time or part-time daycare, nanny, or in-home care costs. This is typically the largest expense for most families.
• Feeding: Covers formula or breastfeeding supplies, baby food, and feeding accessories.
• Diapering: Includes diapers, wipes, creams, and changing supplies, adjusted for expected daily use.
• Gear & Furniture: Major one-time purchases like cribs, strollers, car seats, and high chairs.
  • These are divided into sub-categories such as Activity & Comfort, Nursery, Feeding, General/Clothing, Health & Safety, and Out & About.
• Miscellaneous: Everyday essentials such as baby lotion, soap, pacifiers, thermometers, nail clippers, and more (defaults to $300/year, but you can make it any value you'd like).

Baby gear costs are automatically scaled based on your selected spending style.

“Budget” reflects affordable but safe options, while “Premium” includes higher-end or designer brands.

Regional Variability

Costs vary dramatically across the United States. For example, childcare in Massachusetts or California can exceed $2,000 per month, while costs in smaller cities or rural areas may be half that.

Diaper and feeding costs remain relatively stable, but housing costs, local taxes, and access to childcare heavily influence total spending.

Our calculator provides state-based average estimates, so you can select your state and see what typical costs are in your local area.

Our Cost Estimation Methodology

The Mommyhood101 Baby Budget Calculator uses a transparent, research-based approach:

• We began with the most common baby-related expenses (childcare, feeding, diapering, and gear) and collected national averages from government, non-profit, and industry sources.
• For childcare, we used data from the Care.com 2023 Cost of Child Care Survey and the BabyCenter State of Childcare in the U.S. Study (2023).
• For consumables like formula, baby food, and diapers, we calculated first-year quantities and averaged costs using popular and reputable brands sold by major U.S. retailers.
• Gear and nursery item costs were based on top-rated products from our own Best Baby Products testing series, cross-checked against this year's retail prices.
• The calculator excludes healthcare and insurance costs, which vary widely by family and location.
• All price ranges are updated annually to reflect inflation and major market changes.

Our goal is to provide a realistic, adaptable estimate of first-year costs. It's accurate enough for budgeting, yet flexible for individual circumstances.

How to Save on Baby Costs

Even small savings add up quickly in your baby’s first year. Here are some evidence-based, parent-tested strategies:

• Buy used (safely): Items like swings, bassinets, and clothing can often be purchased second-hand or borrowed. Avoid used car seats unless you know their full safety history and always check car seat expiration dates.
• Bulk buy essentials: Stock up on diapers, wipes, and formula when discounts appear, because these are items you’ll always need.
• Take advantage of freebies: Many hospitals, pediatric offices, and baby brands offer free samples or welcome kits for new parents.
• Compare childcare options: In-home daycares or co-op care can offer significant savings versus private centers.
• DIY baby food: Making purees at home can cut feeding costs in half while offering healthier options.
• Save monthly for the future: Setting aside even $75 per month for college or savings can yield over $16,000 by age 18 (excluding interest).

Limitations

This calculator provides a helpful baseline, but individual costs can vary widely. Your spending will depend on your location, lifestyle, work situation, and family support. For example:

• Childcare costs can vary dramatically across states and between full-time and part-time care.
• Feeding costs depend on whether you breastfeed, formula feed, or use donor milk.
• Gear costs fluctuate based on personal preferences and resale value.

These results are meant to guide your planning, not predict your exact financial situation.

How much does it cost to raise a baby in the first year?

According to national averages, most families spend between $14,000 and $30,000 during their baby’s first year. This includes one-time gear purchases, recurring expenses like diapers and formula, and childcare costs. The wide range reflects differences in location, lifestyle, and childcare arrangements.

What is the most expensive part of having a baby?

Childcare is almost always the largest first-year expense, often exceeding $20,000 annually for full-time care in major metro areas. Other major costs include nursery furniture, baby gear, and feeding supplies. For parents who stay home or share caregiving, total costs may be significantly lower.

How can I lower baby expenses without sacrificing quality?

Focus on what your baby truly needs and take advantage of free or second-hand resources. Borrow gently used gear, buy essentials in bulk, and make your own baby food when possible. Many reputable brands also offer loyalty programs and samples for new parents. Safety is the only area where you should avoid used items like car seats or cribs that may not meet current standards.

Do I need to start a college fund right away?

While not required, even a small monthly contribution can make a big difference. Saving $100 per month from your baby’s birth to age 18 could total over $21,600 (before interest or investment growth). Tools like 529 savings plans or high-yield savings accounts can help your money grow over time.

Are healthcare costs included in this calculator?

No. Healthcare expenses vary widely depending on your insurance coverage, location, and medical needs. However, you can easily include expected premiums, copays, or out-of-pocket costs by adjusting the Miscellaneous category in the calculator.

Does this calculator work for twins or multiple babies?

Currently, the calculator provides an estimate for one child. For twins or multiples, costs such as diapers, feeding supplies, and clothing can roughly double, while childcare and gear may increase by a smaller margin if some items are shared.

How often should I revisit my baby budget?

Revisit your budget every 3 to 6 months during the first year. Expenses can change quickly as your baby transitions from newborn to infant to toddler. For example, diaper use may decline while feeding and clothing costs increase. Updating your budget helps you stay realistic and avoid surprises.

Disclaimer

The Baby Budget Calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace financial or professional advice. Always consider your household’s specific circumstances, location, and childcare arrangements before making major budgeting decisions.

Sources

Mommyhood101 (2025). Financial Planning for a Baby: How to Budget, Save, and Stay Sane. view this article at mommyhood101.com

BabyCenter (2023). State of Childcare in the U.S. Study.

Everyday Health Group Pregnancy & Parenting (2024). Baby Registry Trends Survey.

Care.com (2023). Cost of Child Care Survey. view this article at care.com

U.S. Department of Agriculture (2017). Expenditures on Children by Families. view this article at usda.gov

National Diaper Bank Network (2022). Fast Facts on Diaper Need. view this article at nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org

Investopedia (2023). Budgeting for a New Baby: Ongoing and One-Time Expenses. view this article at investopedia.com

Health Care Cost Institute (2020). Shedding Light on Health Care Spending in the U.S. view this article at HCCI.

FINRA (2024). Education Savings Calculator. view this calculator at finra.org