Staying home to raise the family? Here’s what the working spouse needs to earn in 2026

SmartAsset reports that the annual cost of raising a child exceeds $40,000 in several U.S. cities. These significant expenses are prompting families to carefully evaluate the financial viability of single-income versus dual-income households as they plan for 2026. The data highlights the economic pressure on the working spouse to earn sufficient income to support a stay-at-home parent, reflecting the rising costs of childcare and family maintenance within various urban environments across the United States.