Dupage Policy Journal

An analysis conducted by Consumer Affairs has determined that raising a child in Illinois incurs an annual cost of approximately $16,843. This positions Illinois as the 18th most expensive state for child-rearing. In contrast, owning a dog in Illinois costs around $2,464 per year, placing the state 32nd in terms of pet expenses. Nationally, the expense of raising a child is 532% higher than that of owning a dog. A significant portion of the cost associated with raising children is attributed to childcare, which averages $12,000 annually.

For more details, the full report can be accessed at: https://www.consumeraffairs.com/finance/raising-a-child-vs-owning-a-dog.html