Raising children in Houston is surprisingly affordable, study finds

HOUSTON, Texas — For those considering starting a family, it’s crucial to factor in the cost of raising a child. In the Houston area, which includes The Woodlands and Sugar Land, the annual cost of raising just one child can exceed $21,000.

This finding comes from a new annual report by SmartAsset, which examined childcare costs across 50 of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Despite the seemingly high annual expense, raising a child in Houston is more affordable compared to most other U.S. metros. Houston ranks 13th on the list for the lowest yearly child-rearing costs among the 50 cities included in the report.