The True Cost of Raising a Child in Michigan and Across the U.S.

Children are priceless. They are beautiful, magical, life-changing little gremlins... and also somehow cost the same as buying a new car every year.

If you’re a parent in Michigan—or even thinking about becoming one—you’ve probably wondered how much it actually costs to raise a child in Michigan.

How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Child in the U.S.?

Well... buckle up, because it's a doozy no matter what state you live in.

An analysis by Visual Capitalist looked at the average annual cost of raising a child in every U.S. state, and the figures are pretty mind-blowing.

The Most and Expensive States to Raise a Child

What you learn is that the cost varies wildly depending on where you live. The most expensive states are Massachusetts and Connecticut, where it costs more than $40,000 per year per child.

Even in the most "affordable" states, families still face expenses of around $20,000 a year. So, wherever you live, raising a child in the U.S. is no small feat.

Where Your Money Actually Goes

And where does all that money go:

• housing
• childcare (the true budget killer)
• food
• healthcare
• transportation

Here's where Michigan parents should pay special attention—raising a kid in the Mitten State is not as expensive as most of the country.

READ ALSO: The Minimum Wage You'd Need to Afford Rent in Every State

So, where does Michigan actually stand compared to the rest of the U.S.?

Yeah... you’re going to want to see this with your own eyes. Check out the list below.