22 Florida metro areas on list of most expensive places to raise a child. Here are ways to save
Study found that 22 Florida metro areas that landed on list of most expensive places to raise a child. Where does your city land on the list?
Using the MIT living wage calculator, the study conducted by SmartAsset includes costs of food, housing, childcare, health care, transportation and other necessities.
What are the most expensive Florida cities to raise a child?
Here’s the ranking of 22 Florida cities for annual cost of raising a child.
No. 37: Naples-Marco Island, $24,637
No. 47: North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton: $24,321
No. 52: Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, $24,221
No. 94: Jacksonville, $22,341
No. 100: Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater: $22,259
No. 108: Punta Gorda, $22,052.
No. 109: Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, $22,049.
No. 116: Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, $21,872.
No. 130: Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, $21,527.
No. 131: Port St. Lucie, $21,303.
No. 135: Panama City, $21,303.
No. 145: Cape Coral-Fort Myers, $21, 126.
No. 151: Sebastian-Vero Beach, $21,054.
No. 176: The Villages, $20,676
No. 180: Tallahassee, $20,514
No. 215: Sebring-Avon Park, $20,014
No. 216: Ocala, $20,009
No. 220: Gainesville, $19,961.
No. 231: Homosassa Springs, $19,806.
No. 234: Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, $19,699.
No. 247: Lakeland-Winter Haven, $19,272.
No. 269: Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent: $18,851
How much does it cost to have kids? Sarasota-Manatee on list for most expensive places for parents
How to save money while raising kids
With wealth inequality, it can be tough finding ways to save money on childcare. Here are some resources to use if you're struggling to manage it all.
Discount stores. Who doesn't love a deal? Buying diapers, food and clothes can be incredibly expensive, but shopping at discount stores can save some precious dollars.
Pay less for medication. For those parents or children who regularly take prescription medication, Florida offers discounts through their Discount Drug Card program. The card is free and can be requested online or through the phone at 866-341-8894.
Scholarship programs. Between school supplies, transportation and clothes, preparing for the school year can get pricey. The Step Up for Students and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship offers financial support for parents of public and private students who need help with paying for uniforms, books, transportation and more.
Save on daycare. Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCA locations are abundant in Florida, and they offer some of the more cost-effective childcare for full-day or half-day care. Costs can range from being free with scholarships to $50 a month.
What are the most expensive cities to raise a child in the U.S.?
Here’s a breakdown of the top five most expensive cities to raise a child in, according to the study. The amounts below are total one year costs of parenting one child:
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, California: $35,647.
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, California: $33,877.
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California: $33,228.
Barnstable, Massachusetts: $33,184.
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New Hampshire: $32,307.
What are the least expensive cities to raise a child in the U.S.?
Here’s a breakdown of the top five least expensive cities to raise a child in, according to the study:
Morristown, Tennessee: $14,577
Sumter, South Carolina: $14,702
Jackson, Tennessee: $15,246
Gadsden, Alabama: $15,261
Longview, Texas: $15,345
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Florida childcare costs rank high in these cities. How to save money
