TLDR
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The average cost of raising a child in Canada is roughly $293,000 from birth to age 17.
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Costs change by age and stage, with childcare, activities and food driving most expenses.
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Not every dollar is fixed. Many costs are flexible, seasonal or optional.
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Thoughtful budgeting can help prepare your family for the costs ahead and reduce financial stress.
Raising children comes with steady, rising costs that can strain even well-planned budgets. Add inflation, housing pressure and the pace of modern life, and it’s no wonder many parents feel stretched at times. Statistics Canada estimates that the average cost of raising a child in Canada from birth to age 17 is roughly $293,000* for a middle-income, two-parent family with two children.
And yet, raising a family isn’t just a financial equation. It’s a joy, a commitment and a long-term investment in something truly special and being prepared for the costs ahead will help you focus on what matters most.
This article breaks down the everyday costs of raising a child and helps you budget for them realistically, so you can focus more on the moments that matter.
How much does it cost to raise a child in Canada?
On average, families spend roughly $17,000 per year, per child. But there is a fair bit of variation in that number – costs depend on age, location, childcare access and family choices.
Why costs feel higher today
If it feels more expensive than ever to raise a child, you’re not imagining things. Here’s why:
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Inflation and cost-of-living pressures affect groceries, clothing and the cost of activities
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Higher expectations for children to excel mean parents are investing more in elite sports programs, tutoring and camps
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Childcare demand continues to outpace availability, especially in urban centres. While the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system (CWELCC) has helped lower average fees, many families still struggle to secure a spot, often turning to more expensive alternatives when licensed care isn’t available.
Expenses that change as children age
As your child grows, the costs can change too. Not all at once, and not always in obvious ways, but each stage will bring its own mix of expenses.
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Infancy: Childcare and one-time startup costs as you get set up
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School-age children: Activities, camps, supplies and care gaps between school hours
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Teen years: Food, clothing, technology and transportation costs as your child develops independence and individuality
And when you consider other everyday expenses, such as dental care, vision, orthodontics or prescription medicines, annual out-of-pocket costs can add up to anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 per year, depending on needs and your coverage.
While no two families budget the same way, the estimates below can help you get a sense of how these costs often break down over the course of a year.
| Item | Estimated Annual Cost Per Child |
|---|---|
| Childcare | $0-$6,5002 |
| Food | $3,0003 |
| Clothing | $1,2003 |
| School & Activities | $2,4003 |
| Health & Miscellaneous | $2,4003 |
Every family’s experience is different, and single parents, newcomers, and those living in higher-cost regions may see costs vary significantly from the average.
The cost of raising a young child (age 0 – 5)
Depending largely on childcare access, costs typically range from $12,000 to $21,600 per year. Beyond that headline number, there are a few common categories of spending that tend to shape family budgets during these early years.
One-time startup costs
When you bring your child home for the first time, you’ll need to have some gear on hand: a car seat, crib, stroller and highchair. Initial baby gear and setup costs typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on lifestyle and brand choices.
Some of these items will need to be swapped out as your child grows, so it’s important to budget for your initial expenses and the next stage.
There are also opportunities to reduce costs along the way. You can save some meaningful cash when you buy used: there are many high-quality resale strollers, chairs and swings in consignment shops and online. For an extra bonus, you can resell them later to recoup some of that spend.
Ongoing monthly costs
Once the initial setup is behind you, most early-childhood expenses fall into monthly rhythms.
Childcare
Childcare is often the single largest expense, and costs vary widely. Under the CWELCC system, average fees for licensed childcare space are about $435 per month. Unsubsidized full-time infant care is significantly higher – in Toronto, for example, the monthly cost is $1,685, and home-based care or nannies often exceed $1,200 – $2,000+ with no subsidy.
In 2025, 58% of children aged 0 to 5 years were in some form of childcare.
Diapers
Expect roughly $90 per month, depending on the brand you choose and your baby’s stage.
Food and clothing
Infants may need formula, then baby food, then… real food. Clothing turns over quickly, though toddlers do tend to remain blissfully indifferent as to whether their shirt is new or lovingly pre-owned.
Keep in mind, too, that you may be able to gift or resell their clothes when your child outgrows them. A neighbourhood hand-me-down system may also work well, particularly if you know a few families with kids of varying ages. It’s a great way to cut costs, especially for those big items like winter coats and boots!
Why this stage feels financially intense
This stage often feels financially intense because it is. Many costs are new and frequent – and sometimes come with bigger price tags than expected. If your income dips during parental leave, that added pressure can make spending feel less flexible.
The cost of raising a primary school-aged child (age 6 – 12)
Costs at this stage typically range from $13,200 to $22,500 per year, with activities, school-related spending and care gaps gradually taking on a bigger role.
School-related expenses
Supplies, field trips, lunch programs and before- and after-school care can add up, even in public school systems.
Activities and camps
Sports, lessons and summer camps bring registration fees, equipment costs and seasonal spikes in spending.
Food, clothing and growth spurts
As kids grow, their appetites – and opinions – grow right along with them. Grocery bills tend to creep up, shoes seem to last five minutes and clothing needs change just as fast. This is also the age when brand awareness arrives (long before budgeting skills do!).
The cost of raising a teenager (age 13 – 17)
Annual costs typically range from $9,000 to $14,000, depending on your family’s choices and lifestyle. There may be fewer individual purchases than in earlier years, but the ones that do come up tend to be larger.
The teenage years tend to be surprising and unwieldy in many ways – including financial. Parents often expect costs to taper off as their children grow up, only to find that despite purchasing fewer products, those they do buy come with bigger price tags.
Food, clothing and technology
Teenagers eat adult-sized meals. Phones, data plans and laptops increasingly feel non-negotiable for school and social
Transportation and independence
lessons and car insurance come into play here. Adding a teen driver can significantly increase
Education support
Tutoring and extra-curriculars tied to post-secondary goals can expand your budget.
| Child age | Cost considerations | Estimated annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 0-5 | Childcare, diapers, startup items | $12,000 – $21,600 |
| Ages 6-12 | School costs, activities, camps | $13,200 – $22,500 |
| Ages 13–17 | Food, clothing, tech, transport | $9,000 – $14,000 |
| Post-Secondary | Tuition, housing, books | $14,200 – $23,700 |
*Costs will vary by age of child, province and family choices. Costs are for one child in a two child, 2 parent family with the lowest cost from a lower-income group and the highest from a higher-income group. Source: Statistics Canada, Survey of Household Spending, 2014 to 2017.
How to build a realistic family budget
A family budget works best when it reflects real life. That means accounting for everyday expenses, planning ahead for bigger costs and leaving room for change as your children grow.
Fixed versus variable child-related costs
One of the most helpful ways to start is by separating the costs you can predict from the ones that fluctuate. Planning for both makes your budget more resilient and easier to adjust.
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Fixed costs include things like childcare expenses and health insurance.
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Variable expenses tend to be food, activities and clothing, which can change from month to month.
Planning for big expenses
Summer camp costs, back-to-school expenses and sports registration fees aren’t monthly, but they are somewhat predictable. Planning ahead can reduce stress when the time comes.
Adjusting and reviewing your budget year to year
Budgets should evolve as children grow. What mattered at age five will likely look very different at fifteen.
Budgeting tips for parents feeling stretched
Even with careful planning, there are seasons when family finances feel tight. Small adjustments can help ease that pressure without taking away from what makes family life special.
Prioritize without cutting joy
Not everything needs to go. But not everything needs to stay, either. It’s worth thinking about what’s most important to your child and your family.
Set limits on activities and extras
Focus on what your child truly enjoys, not what everyone else is doing.
Revisit spending regularly
As children grow, their interests and needs change – and your spending can evolve with them. That might mean shifting from organized sports outside of school to school-based teams, or rethinking how activities fit into your routine.
As teens get older, part-time work can also help cover discretionary costs like clothing or technology, giving them more independence while easing pressure on the family budget.
How budgeting today supports long-term financial health
The choices you make today don’t just affect this year’s budget – they shape your family’s financial flexibility over time. Thoughtful planning can help you manage short-term demands while keeping your longer-term goals within reach.
Managing debt
Clear planning can help prevent debt from building during high-cost years. Regularly reviewing balances, interest rates and repayment timelines makes it easier to stay in control.
Making room for savings goals
With the cost of post-secondary education in Canada averaging around $7,700 per year (plus living costs), it’s a cost worth planning for well in advance.
A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) offers a powerful advantage. Through the Canadian Education Savings Grant, the government matches 20 per cent of the first $2,500 you save yearly in an RESP, up to a maximum of $500 per year and a lifetime maximum benefit of $7,200 per child.
Lower-income families may also qualify for a higher match and may access up to $2,000 to help start their child’s RESP through the Canada Learning Bond.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, the cost of raising a child from birth to age 17 costs roughly $293,000.
The most expensive stage depends largely on childcare arrangements. For families who pay for childcare, early childhood (ages 0 to 5) is typically the costliest phase. For others, costs may peak later as food, activities, transportation and technology expenses increase.
While exact costs will depend on your location, childcare access and family choices, parents of a child born in 2025 can expect expenses to follow similar patterns to today’s estimates. Adjusted for inflation, total costs are likely to be at or above current averages.
Depending on childcare and your family’s lifestyle, the typical range is $12,000 – $21,600.
Starting a family is an incredibly exciting time, but it doesn’t come without its share of anxieties. The financial side of having a child can be stressful — but with the right planning, a few tricks up your sleeve and a strong community you can rely on, you can manage the costs without losing sight of what matters most.
1. This figure is based on data from Statistics Canada’s 2014-2017 Survey of Household Spending. While the numbers may have changed slightly due to inflation and recent policy changes, they still provide a reliable benchmark for budgeting purposes.
2. Statistics Canada. Child care arrangements, 2025. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/251021/dq251021c-eng.htm
3. Statistics Canada. (2023). Estimating expenditures on children in Canada, 2014–2017 (Catalogue no. 11-627-M). Government of Canada. Data on category shares for food, clothing, childcare, education, healthcare and miscellaneous used to derive proportional cost estimates.
This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
