The pitter-patter of little feet leave a pretty big footprint on the family checkbook.  CNN reports that the Department of Agriculture estimates a middle-income, married couple with two children will spend an average of  $233,610 to raise a child born in 2015.

Families can expect to average between $12,350 and $14,000 a year  with the biggest expense being housing, taking up an average of 29 percent of the total cost of raising a child.

Ever raise a picky eater? Then you know.  Food was the second biggest budget eater. Kid care doesn’t come cheap averaging $37,378 per child.

The rural advantage is clear and large.  Rural families can expect to spend an average of $193,020 to raise a child while east coast urbanites paying an  average of $253,770.

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